Bible Reading Plan

Author: Jon Green

  • Rest Day + Family Guide (2 Chronicles 18-23)

    Rest Day + Family Guide (2 Chronicles 18-23)

    Rest Day

    Each Sunday is a Rest Day. There is no new Bible reading to do. Today, the goal is simple: rest in the presence of God. Maybe you need to use today to get caught up on the reading plan if you’re behind, maybe you want to journal what you’re learning so you don’t forget what God is teaching you, or maybe you want to spend time in concentrated prayer–do that. Above all, just spend time in God’s presence.

    Each Rest Day, we will have an additional element to help you dig deeper. Sometimes it will be extra resources to further your study, a video to watch, or a podcast to listen to. Sometimes we’ll have a verse to commit to memorize to help you hide God’s Word in your heart. 

    If you have kids, our Family Guide will help you discuss what you’re reading and learning with them! It’s a great opportunity for your family to read God’s Word together and review what we read the previous week!

    Keep Digging

    King Joash is a fascinating person in this week’s reading. To learn more of his backstory (specifically what we know about him from 2 Kings) check out this article!

    Family Guide

    Check out this week’s 2 Chronicles 18-23 Family Guide!

  • 2 Chronicles 23

    2 Chronicles 23

    Read 2 Chronicles 23

    23 In the seventh year Jehoiada showed his strength. He made a covenant with the commanders of units of a hundred: Azariah son of Jeroham, Ishmael son of Jehohanan, Azariah son of Obed, Maaseiah son of Adaiah, and Elishaphat son of Zikri. 2 They went throughout Judah and gathered the Levites and the heads of Israelite families from all the towns. When they came to Jerusalem, 3 the whole assembly made a covenant with the king at the temple of God.

    Jehoiada said to them, “The king’s son shall reign, as the Lord promised concerning the descendants of David. 4 Now this is what you are to do: A third of you priests and Levites who are going on duty on the Sabbath are to keep watch at the doors, 5 a third of you at the royal palace and a third at the Foundation Gate, and all the others are to be in the courtyards of the temple of the Lord. 6 No one is to enter the temple of the Lord except the priests and Levites on duty; they may enter because they are consecrated, but all the others are to observe the Lord’s command not to enter. 7 The Levites are to station themselves around the king, each with weapon in hand. Anyone who enters the temple is to be put to death. Stay close to the king wherever he goes.”

    8 The Levites and all the men of Judah did just as Jehoiada the priest ordered. Each one took his men—those who were going on duty on the Sabbath and those who were going off duty—for Jehoiada the priest had not released any of the divisions. 9 Then he gave the commanders of units of a hundred the spears and the large and small shields that had belonged to King David and that were in the temple of God. 10 He stationed all the men, each with his weapon in his hand, around the king—near the altar and the temple, from the south side to the north side of the temple.

    11 Jehoiada and his sons brought out the king’s son and put the crown on him; they presented him with a copy of the covenant and proclaimed him king. They anointed him and shouted, “Long live the king!”

    12 When Athaliah heard the noise of the people running and cheering the king, she went to them at the temple of the Lord. 13 She looked, and there was the king, standing by his pillar at the entrance. The officers and the trumpeters were beside the king, and all the people of the land were rejoicing and blowing trumpets, and musicians with their instruments were leading the praises. Then Athaliah tore her robes and shouted, “Treason! Treason!”

    14 Jehoiada the priest sent out the commanders of units of a hundred, who were in charge of the troops, and said to them: “Bring her out between the ranks and put to the sword anyone who follows her.” For the priest had said, “Do not put her to death at the temple of the Lord.” 15 So they seized her as she reached the entrance of the Horse Gate on the palace grounds, and there they put her to death.

    16 Jehoiada then made a covenant that he, the people and the king would be the Lord’s people. 17 All the people went to the temple of Baal and tore it down. They smashed the altars and idols and killed Mattan the priest of Baal in front of the altars.

    18 Then Jehoiada placed the oversight of the temple of the Lord in the hands of the Levitical priests, to whom David had made assignments in the temple, to present the burnt offerings of the Lord as written in the Law of Moses, with rejoicing and singing, as David had ordered. 19 He also stationed gatekeepers at the gates of the Lord’s temple so that no one who was in any way unclean might enter.

    20 He took with him the commanders of hundreds, the nobles, the rulers of the people and all the people of the land and brought the king down from the temple of the Lord. They went into the palace through the Upper Gateand seated the king on the royal throne. 21 All the people of the land rejoiced, and the city was calm, because Athaliah had been slain with the sword.

    Go Deeper

    Reading the events recorded in 2 Chronicles reveal the highs and lows of the people of Israel, God’s people. From the perspective of those living in Judah, the promised line of David’s kingdom has been wiped out by the Queen Mother, Athaliah. After six years of her wicked reign, the High Priest, Jehoiada, organizes Levites throughout Judah to join in revealing that a son of David’s line is alive and will reign. This son, Joash, has been hidden in the temple for six years, protected and cared for by the priest’s wife, Jehoshapbeath. 

    The Levites surround Joash, armed with King David’s former weapons stored in the temple, and present their newly crowned king. Queen mother, Athaliah, hearing the joyful praising of the people for King Joash, tears her clothes shouting “Treason.” Her reign ends in her death by the Levite guards. God’s promise of David’s forever kingdom is preserved, protected by the bold actions of the priest and his wife. Sweeping reforms are directed by Jehoiada removing the pagan god, Baal’s, altars and Baal priests. Jerusalem experienced peace during the time of Jehoiada’s influence. 

    Repetitively, God’s promise to preserve David’s family comes under attack, but God’s faithfulness to keep His promises prevails. This truth will continue throughout our readings and remains true today. That is great news for us! Eventually, God’s promise is fulfilled in His Son, Jesus, who is in the line of David. Just as all hope seemed lost when there was no evidence of a living heir to David’s family during the Queen Mother’s purge, Jesus’ death on the cross appeared to be the final defeat of God’s promised king. But God raised Him from death to life on the third day defeating death and sealing the eternal hope for all who call on Jesus’ name.

    In Acts 2, Peter confirms this victory with these words, “Therefore let all the house of Israel know with certainty that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” Jesus is our living, reigning King! Take heart, no matter the circumstances which seem to contradict God’s gracious, sovereign, faithfulness, He reigns and promises to make all things new!

    Questions

    1. How does knowing God is faithful to keep His promises inform your perspective of your current circumstances?
    2. How does Jesus’ resurrection offer hope in difficult times? 
    3. Who do you know who desperately needs to hear that Jesus is our living hope? Would you share this with them as soon as possible?

    Listen Here

    Be reminded of Jesus’ victory and eternal reign by listening to Phil Wickham’s “Living Hope” today!

    Leave a Comment below

    Did you learn something today? Share it with our Bible Reading Plan community by commenting below.

    Join the Team

    Interested in writing for the Bible Reading Plan? Email [email protected].

  • 2 Chronicles 22

    2 Chronicles 22

    Read 2 Chronicles 22

    Ahaziah King of Judah

    22 The people of Jerusalem made Ahaziah, Jehoram’s youngest son, king in his place, since the raiders, who came with the Arabs into the camp, had killed all the older sons. So Ahaziah son of Jehoram king of Judah began to reign.

    2 Ahaziah was twenty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem one year. His mother’s name was Athaliah, a granddaughter of Omri.

    3 He too followed the ways of the house of Ahab, for his mother encouraged him to act wickedly. 4 He did evil in the eyes of the Lord, as the house of Ahab had done, for after his father’s death they became his advisers, to his undoing. 5 He also followed their counsel when he went with Joram son of Ahab king of Israel to wage war against Hazael king of Aram at Ramoth Gilead. The Arameans wounded Joram; 6 so he returned to Jezreel to recover from the wounds they had inflicted on him at Ramoth in his battle with Hazael king of Aram.

    Then Ahaziah son of Jehoram king of Judah went down to Jezreel to see Joram son of Ahab because he had been wounded.

    7 Through Ahaziah’s visit to Joram, God brought about Ahaziah’s downfall. When Ahaziah arrived, he went out with Joram to meet Jehu son of Nimshi, whom the Lord had anointed to destroy the house of Ahab. 8 While Jehu was executing judgment on the house of Ahab, he found the officials of Judah and the sons of Ahaziah’s relatives, who had been attending Ahaziah, and he killed them. 9 He then went in search of Ahaziah, and his men captured him while he was hiding in Samaria. He was brought to Jehu and put to death. They buried him, for they said, “He was a son of Jehoshaphat, who sought the Lord with all his heart.” So there was no one in the house of Ahaziah powerful enough to retain the kingdom.

    Athaliah and Joash

    10 When Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she proceeded to destroy the whole royal family of the house of Judah. 11 But Jehosheba, the daughter of King Jehoram, took Joash son of Ahaziah and stole him away from among the royal princes who were about to be murdered and put him and his nurse in a bedroom. Because Jehosheba, the daughter of King Jehoram and wife of the priest Jehoiada, was Ahaziah’s sister, she hid the child from Athaliah so she could not kill him. 12 He remained hidden with them at the temple of God for six years while Athaliah ruled the land.

    Go Deeper

    This chapter finds the people of Jerusalem deciding to take their chances again on an heir of David, so at the age of 22, Ahaziah, son of Jehoram, is named king. And while much of the story resembles other Old Testament stories, where a wayward or wicked king wages unjust wars or have relatives killed in revenge (both of these things are true in this chapter as well), the crux of the passage seems to land not necessarily on Ahaziah, who only reigned for one year, but on his mother, Athaliah. 

    As the daughter of King Ahab of Israel, she came from a dynasty that worshipped other gods and “did evil in the sight of the Lord, above all that were before him” (1 Kings 16:30). The chronicler tells us that his wicked ways were the result of Athaliah’s influence on the young king, that she influenced him to be evil and turn away from God. And we can see further evidence that this is true, as in verse 10, the Chronicler tells us that she proceeds to have her grandsons and any possible heirs executed, so she can become queen.

    Although today, we are not executing grandchildren or intentionally conditioning our children for evil, this passage (as well as the next chapter) serves as a reminder to parents, that sin, as well as a lack of intentionality, can affect our children as well as the generations that are to come who we will never see. Deuteronomy 7:9-10 says “Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; He is the faithful God, keeping His covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love Him and keep His commandments. But those who hate Him He will repay to their face by destruction.”

    Through God’s relentless pursuit and the faithfulness of Jehu, who God anointed to destroy the house of Ahab, and Jehosheba, who hid the true heir to the throne for six years, Israel comes back to obedience to God. God uses families as one of the strongest pathways of discipleship to bring up future generations of believers. The command for couples to be fruitful and multiply was not just a physical command to grow a society, but to multiply the priesthood of all believers. If you are a parent, you are the primary discipler of your kids! It is your most important role as parents, upon which the promises are everlasting.

    Questions

    1. If you are a parent, what steps do you take regularly to influence your kids for the kingdom of God? If you are not a parent, how can you influence the next generation?
    2. What habits or sin patterns are present in your life that creates the opposite influence?
    3. What are some practical things we can implement to move away from habits that may harm future generations?

    Did You Know?

    The protection of Joash saved the line of David. Check out this note from Enduring Word‘s David Guzik:

    Though Ahaziah was a bad king who made evil alliances, he was still a descendant of David and the successor of his royal line. For the sake of David, God remembered His promise and spared this one young survivor to the massacre of Athaliah. The line of David was almost extinguished and continued only in the presence of a small boy named Joash, but God preserved that flickering flame.

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  • 2 Chronicles 21

    2 Chronicles 21

    Read 2 Chronicles 21

    21 Then Jehoshaphat rested with his ancestors and was buried with them in the City of David. And Jehoram his son succeeded him as king.2 Jehoram’s brothers, the sons of Jehoshaphat, were Azariah, Jehiel, Zechariah, Azariahu, Michael and Shephatiah. All these were sons of Jehoshaphat king of Israel. 3 Their father had given them many gifts of silver and gold and articles of value, as well as fortified cities in Judah, but he had given the kingdom to Jehoram because he was his firstborn son.

    Jehoram King of Judah

    4 When Jehoram established himself firmly over his father’s kingdom, he put all his brothers to the sword along with some of the officials of Israel.5 Jehoram was thirty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eight years. 6 He followed the ways of the kings of Israel, as the house of Ahab had done, for he married a daughter of Ahab. He did evil in the eyes of the Lord. 7 Nevertheless, because of the covenant the Lord had made with David, the Lord was not willing to destroy the house of David. He had promised to maintain a lamp for him and his descendants forever.

    8 In the time of Jehoram, Edom rebelled against Judah and set up its own king. 9 So Jehoram went there with his officers and all his chariots. The Edomites surrounded him and his chariot commanders, but he rose up and broke through by night. 10 To this day Edom has been in rebellion against Judah.

    Libnah revolted at the same time, because Jehoram had forsaken the Lord, the God of his ancestors. 11 He had also built high places on the hills of Judah and had caused the people of Jerusalem to prostitute themselves and had led Judah astray.

    12 Jehoram received a letter from Elijah the prophet, which said:

    “This is what the Lord, the God of your father David, says: ‘You have not followed the ways of your father Jehoshaphat or of Asa king of Judah.13 But you have followed the ways of the kings of Israel, and you have led Judah and the people of Jerusalem to prostitute themselves, just as the house of Ahab did. You have also murdered your own brothers, members of your own family, men who were better than you. 14 So now the Lord is about to strike your people, your sons, your wives and everything that is yours, with a heavy blow. 15 You yourself will be very ill with a lingering disease of the bowels, until the disease causes your bowels to come out.’”

    16 The Lord aroused against Jehoram the hostility of the Philistines and of the Arabs who lived near the Cushites. 17 They attacked Judah, invaded it and carried off all the goods found in the king’s palace, together with his sons and wives. Not a son was left to him except Ahaziah, the youngest.

    18 After all this, the Lord afflicted Jehoram with an incurable disease of the bowels. 19 In the course of time, at the end of the second year, his bowels came out because of the disease, and he died in great pain. His people made no funeral fire in his honor, as they had for his predecessors.

    20 Jehoram was thirty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eight years. He passed away, to no one’s regret, and was buried in the City of David, but not in the tombs of the kings.

    Go Deeper

    This passage opens with the death of Jehoshaphat and his son, Jehoram, becomes the King of Judah. Jehoshaphat and his father, Asa, had both been known as faithful Kings who had done what was right in the sight of the Lord, but Jehoram was quite the opposite. As one of his first acts as King, he killed all of his brothers as well as some of the princes of Israel. This was definitely a King who did not want his power or control threatened. Verse 7 specifically tells us that Jehoram “did what was evil in the sight of the Lord.”

    We can learn several lessons from the life and reign of Jehoram. First, and most importantly, is that God keeps his promises. Second Chronicles 21:7 says “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.” Despite the fact that Jehoram chose to follow a path of evil and sin, God did not completely destroy him or his kingdom because God had promised that an everlasting kingdom would come from the lineage of David (2 Samuel 7:13-16). God had great mercy on Jehoram, even though it had no effect on his evil behavior.

    The second thing we can learn from Jehoram, is that bad company corrupts good character. Jehoram was married to the daughter of King Ahab who was easily one of the most evil Kings in Israel’s history. In verse 9, we read “Because you have not walked in the ways of Jehoshaphat your father, or in the ways of Asa king of Judah, but have walked in the way of the kings of Israel…” Jehoram had an opportunity to follow in the faithful footsteps of his father and grandfather, but instead he chose to be influenced by the evil habits of his wife. What likely began as small compromises of the faith he grew up with quickly led to disobedience in the form of idolatry, lewdness, and murder. Jehoram’s kingdom was reigned by sin.

    The last lesson we can learn from this chapter and Jehoram’s rule is that the consequences of sin are far reaching. Jehoram suffered great personal losses: his palace was plundered, his wives taken, all but one of his children were killed, and he died with a painful disease. In addition to that, Judah suffered great military losses, his country was ravaged, and his capital was taken. Think about how many men, women, and children suffered losses of their home, fear of being taken captive, and difficulty finding food or shelter all as a result of Jehoram’s sinful choices.

    This chapter closes with a description of Jehoram dying a very painful and agonizing death and ends with “And he departed with no one’s regret” (2 Chronicles 21:20). It is sad when someone dies. It’s significantly sadder when no one is sorry that someone has died. Jehoram died as he lived…marked by evil, selfishness, and dishonor. May we learn from Jehoram’s life and reign that God is a promise keeper and that our life and influence will always be greater by choosing to faithfully follow the Lord.

    Questions

    1. What stuck out to you as you read this chapter on Jehoram’s reign? Why? 
    2. Based on what we know about Jehoram, what steps could he have taken to redirect the course of his life and reign?
    3. Spend some time reflecting on your own life and choices. Are there any sins affecting you or those around you that you need to confess?

    Keep Digging

    Based on the historical evidence of when Jehoram became King, it is possible that it was after Elijah had been taken to heaven on a chariot of fire. Read this article for some possible explanations of how Jehoram could have still received a letter from Elijah.

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  • 2 Chronicles 20

    2 Chronicles 20

    Read 2 Chronicles 20

    Jehoshaphat Defeats Moab and Ammon

    20 After this, the Moabites and Ammonites with some of the Meunitescame to wage war against Jehoshaphat.

    2 Some people came and told Jehoshaphat, “A vast army is coming against you from Edom, from the other side of the Dead Sea. It is already in Hazezon Tamar” (that is, En Gedi). 3 Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the Lord, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah. 4 The people of Judah came together to seek help from the Lord; indeed, they came from every town in Judah to seek him.

    5 Then Jehoshaphat stood up in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem at the temple of the Lord in the front of the new courtyard 6 and said:

    “Lord, the God of our ancestors, are you not the God who is in heaven?You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in your hand, and no one can withstand you. 7 Our God, did you not drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend? 8 They have lived in it and have built in it a sanctuary for your Name, saying, 9 ‘If calamity comes upon us, whether the sword of judgment, or plague or famine, we will stand in your presence before this temple that bears your Name and will cry out to you in our distress, and you will hear us and save us.’

    10 “But now here are men from Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir, whose territory you would not allow Israel to invade when they came from Egypt;so they turned away from them and did not destroy them. 11 See how they are repaying us by coming to drive us out of the possession you gave us as an inheritance. 12 Our God, will you not judge them? For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.”

    13 All the men of Judah, with their wives and children and little ones, stood there before the Lord.

    14 Then the Spirit of the Lord came on Jahaziel son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite and descendant of Asaph, as he stood in the assembly.

    15 He said: “Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s. 16 Tomorrow march down against them. They will be climbing up by the Pass of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the gorge in the Desert of Jeruel. 17 You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.’”

    18 Jehoshaphat bowed down with his face to the ground, and all the people of Judah and Jerusalem fell down in worship before the Lord. 19 Then some Levites from the Kohathites and Korahites stood up and praised the Lord, the God of Israel, with a very loud voice.

    20 Early in the morning they left for the Desert of Tekoa. As they set out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Listen to me, Judah and people of Jerusalem! Have faith in the Lord your God and you will be upheld; have faith in his prophets and you will be successful.” 21 After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the Lord and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying:

    “Give thanks to the Lord,
        for his love endures forever.”

    22 As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated. 23 The Ammonites and Moabites rose up against the men from Mount Seir to destroy and annihilate them. After they finished slaughtering the men from Seir, they helped to destroy one another.

    24 When the men of Judah came to the place that overlooks the desert and looked toward the vast army, they saw only dead bodies lying on the ground; no one had escaped. 25 So Jehoshaphat and his men went to carry off their plunder, and they found among them a great amount of equipment and clothing and also articles of value—more than they could take away. There was so much plunder that it took three days to collect it. 26 On the fourth day they assembled in the Valley of Berakah, where they praised the Lord. This is why it is called the Valley of Berakah to this day.

    27 Then, led by Jehoshaphat, all the men of Judah and Jerusalem returned joyfully to Jerusalem, for the Lord had given them cause to rejoice over their enemies. 28 They entered Jerusalem and went to the temple of the Lordwith harps and lyres and trumpets.

    29 The fear of God came on all the surrounding kingdoms when they heard how the Lord had fought against the enemies of Israel. 30 And the kingdom of Jehoshaphat was at peace, for his God had given him rest on every side.

    The End of Jehoshaphat’s Reign

    31 So Jehoshaphat reigned over Judah. He was thirty-five years old when he became king of Judah, and he reigned in Jerusalem twenty-five years. His mother’s name was Azubah daughter of Shilhi. 32 He followed the ways of his father Asa and did not stray from them; he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord. 33 The high places, however, were not removed, and the people still had not set their hearts on the God of their ancestors.

    34 The other events of Jehoshaphat’s reign, from beginning to end, are written in the annals of Jehu son of Hanani, which are recorded in the book of the kings of Israel.

    35 Later, Jehoshaphat king of Judah made an alliance with Ahaziah king of Israel, whose ways were wicked. 36 He agreed with him to construct a fleet of trading ships. After these were built at Ezion Geber, 37 Eliezer son of Dodavahu of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, “Because you have made an alliance with Ahaziah, the Lord will destroy what you have made.” The ships were wrecked and were not able to set sail to trade.

    Go Deeper

    In 2 Chronicles 20, King Jehoshaphat is backed into the corner, not quite sure where to turn. Have you ever felt overwhelmed, like you weren’t going to make it through a trial? Maybe you’re feeling that right now. Maybe the loss of a loved one has broken your heart. Maybe a sickness has come upon you. Maybe fear and anxiety has tried to break your spirit. Maybe insecurity has taken over and dominated your mind. Maybe finances have piled up to a crushing weight and you see no way out. Do you feel as if the army coming against you is too great? If so, you are not alone. 

    Many characters in scripture have felt the exact same way. But for those that serve the one and only God, there is hope in these inexplicable moments. And our hope is never predicated upon how our circumstances look, rather who is in control of them. King Jehoshaphat found himself in an overwhelming external situation. During his prayer and plea to God for deliverance, he quoted one of the most honest and faith-filled prayers in all of scripture. In the wake of battle and possible destruction he says, “For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.” (2 Chronicles 20:12). 

    When you do not know what to do, where do your eyes turn to? In the New Testament, Jesus had a moment with Peter where He calls him out to walk on water with him. As he begins to walk, the wind and waves begin to seem overwhelming, and he takes his eyes off of his Lord and onto the storm. “Keep your eyes on me,” Jesus gently responds, “Why do you doubt?” The winds and the waves of life are promised to us, but who we direct our focus on in the midst of the storm is where our strength comes from. In a moment of panic, fear, and doubt, King Jehoshaphat ran to whom he knew was in control. As Israel inquired of the Lord, He answered: “This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.” (2 Chron. 20:15).  

    The battle that you’re in right now is not yours. It’s God’s! The overwhelming fear, the situation you see no way out of, the sickness, the loss…anything you are facing, it’s God’s. He just asks that we keep our eyes on Him. He will fight our battles for us. As Israel fixed their gaze upon Him, He did the rest. Life is not promised to be easy for us, but there is a God who promises to be constant. That He will “never leave us or forsake us.” (Joshua 1:9). Fix your eyes upon Him today and know that HE is in control.

    Questions

    1. Do you believe that God is in control of your day-to-day battles? If so, would your response to them look different?
    2. If the battle is in God’s hands, then what does your job look like?
    3. At the end of this chapter, King Jehoshaphat makes an alliance with an evil king that ultimately leads to destruction. Are you making any “alliances” with things other than God that could ultimately lead to destruction?

    Keep Digging

    Learn more about King Jehoshaphat here.

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  • 2 Chronicles 19

    2 Chronicles 19

    Read 2 Chronicles 19

    19 When Jehoshaphat king of Judah returned safely to his palace in Jerusalem, 2 Jehu the seer, the son of Hanani, went out to meet him and said to the king, “Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the Lord?Because of this, the wrath of the Lord is on you. 3 There is, however, some good in you, for you have rid the land of the Asherah poles and have set your heart on seeking God.”

    Jehoshaphat Appoints Judges

    4 Jehoshaphat lived in Jerusalem, and he went out again among the people from Beersheba to the hill country of Ephraim and turned them back to the Lord, the God of their ancestors. 5 He appointed judges in the land, in each of the fortified cities of Judah. 6 He told them, “Consider carefully what you do, because you are not judging for mere mortals but for the Lord, who is with you whenever you give a verdict. 7 Now let the fear of the Lord be on you. Judge carefully, for with the Lord our God there is no injustice or partiality or bribery.”

    8 In Jerusalem also, Jehoshaphat appointed some of the Levites, priests and heads of Israelite families to administer the law of the Lord and to settle disputes. And they lived in Jerusalem. 9 He gave them these orders: “You must serve faithfully and wholeheartedly in the fear of the Lord. 10 In every case that comes before you from your people who live in the cities—whether bloodshed or other concerns of the law, commands, decrees or regulations—you are to warn them not to sin against the Lord; otherwise his wrath will come on you and your people. Do this, and you will not sin.

    11 “Amariah the chief priest will be over you in any matter concerning the Lord, and Zebadiah son of Ishmael, the leader of the tribe of Judah, will be over you in any matter concerning the king, and the Levites will serve as officials before you. Act with courage, and may the Lord be with those who do well.”

    Go Deeper

    We see in yesterday’s reading of 2 Chronicles 18, Good King Jehoshaphat made an unholy alliance with King Ahab (both militarily and personally) through his son’s marriage to Ahab’s daughter. These could have cost him his life without his prayerful plea during the battle with the Arameans, and the Lord’s gracious protection. After he returns to Jerusalem unharmed, Jehu the seer, meets him with some poignant words in verses 2 and 3 saying, “Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the Lord? Because of this, the wrath of the Lord is on you. There is, however, some good in you, for you have rid the land of the Asherah poles and have set your heart on seeking God.” As we learned from king David and now king Jehoshaphat, in spite of our mistakes, God will go with us if we are men and women after God’s own heart. 

    We now see why king Jehoshaphat was labeled “good.” From his desire to live for God, He led his nation to do the same. The last 7 verses show how serious he was about the nation returning to God by traveling to the people with the sole purpose of “bringing them back to the Lord, the God of their fathers.” This is a beautiful testimony of his heart and one we should all desire for our families, communities, and nation. All of us lead in some capacity and king Jehoshaphat’s message is relevant today. He charges the people of the nation to return to the God of their fathers. 

    He further tells the newly appointed Judges in verse 6, “Consider carefully what you do, because you are not judging for mere mortals but for the Lord, who is with you whenever you give a verdict.” Verse 7 ends with this warning, “judge carefully, for with the Lord our God, there is no injustice, or partiality or bribery.” He is saying that integrity matters a lot to God. He goes on to appoint Levites, priests, and heads of families to administer God’s law settling disputes among those in Jerusalem. Finally, he reestablishes Godly social order according to the law and makes it clear to those leading their communities, to lead with justice and righteousness at the heart of every decision. He finally asks those carefully chosen leaders to ask all the Israelites in their respective parts of the nation to live with integrity and a clear conscience without sin. 

    There are three important points in this short but loaded chapter. First, Godly leadership is so important, and the only way to lead this way is committing one’s heart fully to God and His ways. Jehoshaphat showed his heart of humility before God in proclaiming over all the nation to return to God. Isaiah 55:9 says, “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” As we lead in our spheres, may we first humbly admit that God’s ideas and ways are better than our own. Second, in leading effectively, we must grow in the knowledge of God’s thoughts and ideas. Proverbs 9:10 says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” As we put God first and study scripture, we better see and understand His wisdom and knowledge. We can apply His ways into our own lives and perhaps influence for the good of others. Over time, we will watch His wisdom work within our lives and circumstances because we will think and act in tandem with God. Thirdly, we can trust God in everything which is the mark of maturity as a leader. Whether it is our marriages, families, children, friendships, work, communities or church service, Matthew 6:33 gives us the place to start saying, “Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things shall be given to you as well.” 

    Simply stated, we must seek the Lord first rather than money, power, position or pleasure. As did Good King Jehoshaphat, we also are to seek His Kingdom with humility before God, learning the wisdom of God, and trusting in our all-sufficient Savior to guide and help us in every circumstance we will ever face. Growing in humility, wisdom, and trust throughout our earthly life will bring a deep intimacy with Christ now, and indomitable hope for our future.

    Questions

    1. Whose voices do you choose to listen to when seeking wisdom? Who are the people that you know will point you to Jesus, even if it’s not what you want to hear?
    2. Where are you ignoring the voice of God in your life? Where do you need to surrender to him?
    3. Are you the type of friend that is willing to point others to truth, in love, even when it feels difficult?

    A Quote

    “True greatness, true leadership, is found in in giving yourself in service to others, not in coaxing or inducing others to serve you.”

    Oswald Sanders, Spiritual Leadership

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  • 2 Chronicles 18

    2 Chronicles 18

    Read 2 Chronicles 18

    Micaiah Prophesies Against Ahab

    18 Now Jehoshaphat had great wealth and honor, and he allied himself with Ahab by marriage. 2 Some years later he went down to see Ahab in Samaria. Ahab slaughtered many sheep and cattle for him and the people with him and urged him to attack Ramoth Gilead. 3 Ahab king of Israel asked Jehoshaphat king of Judah, “Will you go with me against Ramoth Gilead?”

    Jehoshaphat replied, “I am as you are, and my people as your people; we will join you in the war.” 4 But Jehoshaphat also said to the king of Israel, “First seek the counsel of the Lord.”

    5 So the king of Israel brought together the prophets—four hundred men—and asked them, “Shall we go to war against Ramoth Gilead, or shall I not?”

    “Go,” they answered, “for God will give it into the king’s hand.”

    6 But Jehoshaphat asked, “Is there no longer a prophet of the Lord here whom we can inquire of?”

    7 The king of Israel answered Jehoshaphat, “There is still one prophet through whom we can inquire of the Lord, but I hate him because he never prophesies anything good about me, but always bad. He is Micaiah son of Imlah.”

    “The king should not say such a thing,” Jehoshaphat replied.

    8 So the king of Israel called one of his officials and said, “Bring Micaiah son of Imlah at once.”

    9 Dressed in their royal robes, the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of Judah were sitting on their thrones at the threshing floor by the entrance of the gate of Samaria, with all the prophets prophesying before them. 10 Now Zedekiah son of Kenaanah had made iron horns, and he declared, “This is what the Lord says: ‘With these you will gore the Arameans until they are destroyed.’”

    11 All the other prophets were prophesying the same thing. “Attack Ramoth Gilead and be victorious,” they said, “for the Lord will give it into the king’s hand.”

    12 The messenger who had gone to summon Micaiah said to him, “Look, the other prophets without exception are predicting success for the king. Let your word agree with theirs, and speak favorably.”

    13 But Micaiah said, “As surely as the Lord lives, I can tell him only what my God says.”

    14 When he arrived, the king asked him, “Micaiah, shall we go to war against Ramoth Gilead, or shall I not?”

    “Attack and be victorious,” he answered, “for they will be given into your hand.”

    15 The king said to him, “How many times must I make you swear to tell me nothing but the truth in the name of the Lord?”

    16 Then Micaiah answered, “I saw all Israel scattered on the hills like sheep without a shepherd, and the Lord said, ‘These people have no master. Let each one go home in peace.’”

    17 The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “Didn’t I tell you that he never prophesies anything good about me, but only bad?”

    18 Micaiah continued, “Therefore hear the word of the Lord: I saw the Lordsitting on his throne with all the multitudes of heaven standing on his right and on his left. 19 And the Lord said, ‘Who will entice Ahab king of Israel into attacking Ramoth Gilead and going to his death there?’

    “One suggested this, and another that. 20 Finally, a spirit came forward, stood before the Lord and said, ‘I will entice him.’

    “‘By what means?’ the Lord asked.

    21 “‘I will go and be a deceiving spirit in the mouths of all his prophets,’ he said.

    “‘You will succeed in enticing him,’ said the Lord. ‘Go and do it.’

    22 “So now the Lord has put a deceiving spirit in the mouths of these prophets of yours. The Lord has decreed disaster for you.”

    23 Then Zedekiah son of Kenaanah went up and slapped Micaiah in the face. “Which way did the spirit from the Lord go when he went from me to speak to you?” he asked.

    24 Micaiah replied, “You will find out on the day you go to hide in an inner room.”

    25 The king of Israel then ordered, “Take Micaiah and send him back to Amon the ruler of the city and to Joash the king’s son, 26 and say, ‘This is what the king says: Put this fellow in prison and give him nothing but bread and water until I return safely.’”

    27 Micaiah declared, “If you ever return safely, the Lord has not spoken through me.” Then he added, “Mark my words, all you people!”

    Ahab Killed at Ramoth Gilead

    28 So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of Judah went up to Ramoth Gilead. 29 The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “I will enter the battle in disguise, but you wear your royal robes.” So the king of Israel disguisedhimself and went into battle.

    30 Now the king of Aram had ordered his chariot commanders, “Do not fight with anyone, small or great, except the king of Israel.” 31 When the chariot commanders saw Jehoshaphat, they thought, “This is the king of Israel.” So they turned to attack him, but Jehoshaphat cried out, and the Lord helped him. God drew them away from him, 32 for when the chariot commanders saw that he was not the king of Israel, they stopped pursuing him.

    33 But someone drew his bow at random and hit the king of Israel between the breastplate and the scale armor. The king told the chariot driver, “Wheel around and get me out of the fighting. I’ve been wounded.” 34 All day long the battle raged, and the king of Israel propped himself up in his chariot facing the Arameans until evening. Then at sunset he died.

    Go Deeper

    Second Chronicles 18 reminds us of the importance of discerning which voices we choose to follow. It is easy to seek out voices that affirm what we already want to hear. When we have a strong desire, we want the people around us to tell us that we are right in what we want. In this chapter, Ahab wants victory, so he gathers prophets that tell him he would defeat Syria. Jehoshaphat aligns himself with Ahab as a way to protect his own kingdom, but insists on hearing from one more voice before he commits to going into battle with Ahab. Micaiah, a prophet of the Lord, speaks in opposition to what Ahab’s prophets had said despite Ahab’s efforts to convince Micaiah to do otherwise.

    In a culture that is constantly telling us to find our own truth, to do what feels good, and to follow our own desires, it is easy to surround ourselves with voices that affirm what we want to be true. This makes Biblical community all the more important. Proverbs tells us, “Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses,” (Proverbs 27:6). The people we surround ourselves with have a profound influence on how we walk with the Lord and our obedience to Him.

    Jehoshaphat, because he chose to align himself with a king that is not surrendered to the Lord, finds himself listening to false prophets and going into a battle that the Lord had said would end in disaster. He compromises obedience to the Lord because of his misaligned priorities. Instead of being concerned with dependence on and obedience to God, he sought political gain through an alliance with Ahab. 2 Corinthians 6:14 warns us, “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?” Paul is warning us about the people we commit to walking with, knowing that the voices we listen to determine the direction we are headed.

    In Matthew 5:16, Jesus says, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Followers of Jesus should be marked by the way we follow Jesus and influence the culture around us, not sacrificing truth for the sake of our own desires.

    Questions

    1. Whose voices do you choose to listen to when seeking wisdom? Who are the people that you know will point you to Jesus, even if it’s not what you want to hear?
    2. Where are you ignoring the voice of God in your life? Where do you need to surrender to him?
    3. Are you the type of friend that is willing to point others to truth, in love, even when it feels difficult?

    Keep Digging

    In the same way Jehoshaphat was led away from obedience to God by following King Ahab, Ahab was led away from God by marrying Jezebel. Read this article to learn more about Jezebel’s relationship with Ahab and how he eventually turned from God, leading to their destruction.

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  • Rest Day + Family Guide (2 Chronicles 12-17)

    Rest Day + Family Guide (2 Chronicles 12-17)

    Rest Day

    Each Sunday is a Rest Day. There is no new Bible reading to do. Today, the goal is simple: rest in the presence of God. Maybe you need to use today to get caught up on the reading plan if you’re behind, maybe you want to journal what you’re learning so you don’t forget what God is teaching you, or maybe you want to spend time in concentrated prayer–do that. Above all, just spend time in God’s presence.

    Each Rest Day, we will have an additional element to help you dig deeper. Sometimes it will be extra resources to further your study, a video to watch, or a podcast to listen to. Sometimes we’ll have a verse to commit to memorize to help you hide God’s Word in your heart. 

    If you have kids, our Family Guide will help you discuss what you’re reading and learning with them! It’s a great opportunity for your family to read God’s Word together and review what we read the previous week!

    Keep Digging

    While reading 2 Chronicles, we read about a number of kings who did (and did not) do what was right in the eyes of the Lord. King Asa was one of the godly ones! To learn more about King Asa and his reign, check out this article. 

    Family Guide

    Check out this week’s 2 Chronicles 12-17 Family Guide!

  • 2 Chronicles 17

    2 Chronicles 17

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    Jehoshaphat King of Judah

    17 Jehoshaphat his son succeeded him as king and strengthened himself against Israel. 2 He stationed troops in all the fortified cities of Judah and put garrisons in Judah and in the towns of Ephraim that his father Asa had captured.

    3 The Lord was with Jehoshaphat because he followed the ways of his father David before him. He did not consult the Baals 4 but sought the God of his father and followed his commands rather than the practices of Israel.5 The Lord established the kingdom under his control; and all Judah brought gifts to Jehoshaphat, so that he had great wealth and honor. 6 His heart was devoted to the ways of the Lord; furthermore, he removed the high placesand the Asherah poles from Judah.

    7 In the third year of his reign he sent his officials Ben-Hail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel and Micaiah to teach in the towns of Judah. 8 With them were certain Levites—Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah and Tob-Adonijah—and the priests Elishama and Jehoram. 9 They taught throughout Judah, taking with them the Book of the Law of the Lord; they went around to all the towns of Judah and taught the people.

    10 The fear of the Lord fell on all the kingdoms of the lands surrounding Judah, so that they did not go to war against Jehoshaphat. 11 Some Philistines brought Jehoshaphat gifts and silver as tribute, and the Arabsbrought him flocks: seven thousand seven hundred rams and seven thousand seven hundred goats.

    12 Jehoshaphat became more and more powerful; he built forts and store cities in Judah 13 and had large supplies in the towns of Judah. He also kept experienced fighting men in Jerusalem. 14 Their enrollment by families was as follows:

    From Judah, commanders of units of 1,000:

    Adnah the commander, with 300,000 fighting men;

    15 next, Jehohanan the commander, with 280,000;

    16 next, Amasiah son of Zikri, who volunteered himself for the service of the Lord, with 200,000.

    17 From Benjamin:

    Eliada, a valiant soldier, with 200,000 men armed with bows and shields;

    18 next, Jehozabad, with 180,000 men armed for battle.

    19 These were the men who served the king, besides those he stationed in the fortified cities throughout Judah.

    Go Deeper

    Despite the sad ending in the previous chapter for King Asa, we see potential and hope when his son succeeds him as King in 2 Chronicles 17. Whereas King Asa had a strong commitment to the Lord in the beginning, his dedication faltered in the end. Similar to his father, we see King Jehoshaphat coming out strong at the beginning with his dedication to God. This chapter shows us that he walked closely with the Lord, desired to obey His commandments, and endeavored to make His name known among the kingdom. As a result, God’s blessing is clearly over his reign. What an encouragement to see how even in the Old Testament, God actively leads and engages with His people. 

    Right off the bat, we observe that King Jehoshaphat’s own personal relationship with the Lord was strong. Scripture says that he “sought the God of his father and followed his commands rather than the practices of Israel” (v. 4). Then we see what a difference this makes on his reign as King! Arguably, he leads the kingdom better and makes wise decisions because he chooses to seek God first. A close, personal relationship with the Lord is where it all begins. If we want guidance and wisdom concerning leading well, making decisions, etc., then we must “seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be added to you” (Matthew 6:33). We can’t expect to lead well, serve well or teach others about God’s word like King Jehoshaphat does if we first don’t pursue an intimate relationship with the Lord. 

    As a result of him walking with the Lord so closely, his kingdom was strengthened, other kingdoms feared Judah, and the city flourished. This just points to how God remains the ultimate giver, and He delights in giving good gifts to His children (Matthew 7:11). We ultimately see in this chapter that not only does God provide, but he provides in abundance by strengthening and blessing a kingdom. Not only does God protect, but He protects in abundance by not even allowing other kingdoms to consider war against Judah. We serve a God of abundance! Let’s take time to meditate on that truth today and praise God for the ways He abundantly lavishes us with His grace.

    Questions

    1.  What godly characteristics of King Jehoshaphat do you admire that you would like to emulate in your own life?
    2. What are some practical steps you can take to strengthen your personal relationship with the Lord today? 
    3. In what ways have you seen God’s abundance in your life this week?

    Keep Digging

    If you’d like to know more about King Jehoshaphat (and get a preview of the chapters to come), you should read this article from GotQuestions.org.

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  • 2 Chronicles 16

    2 Chronicles 16

    Read 2 Chronicles 16

    Asa’s Last Years

    16 In the thirty-sixth year of the reign of Asa, Baasha king of Israel went up against Judah and built Ramah, that he might permit no one to go out or come in to Asa king of Judah. 2 Then Asa took silver and gold from the treasures of the house of the Lord and the king’s house and sent them to Ben-hadad king of Syria, who lived in Damascus, saying, 3 “There is a covenant between me and you, as there was between my father and your father. Behold, I am sending to you silver and gold. Go, break your covenant with Baasha king of Israel, that he may withdraw from me.” 4 And Ben-hadad listened to King Asa and sent the commanders of his armies against the cities of Israel, and they conquered Ijon, Dan, Abel-maim, and all the store cities of Naphtali. 5 And when Baasha heard of it, he stopped building Ramah and let his work cease. 6 Then King Asa took all Judah, and they carried away the stones of Ramah and its timber, with which Baasha had been building, and with them he built Geba and Mizpah.

    7 At that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah and said to him, “Because you relied on the king of Syria, and did not rely on the Lord your God, the army of the king of Syria has escaped you. 8 Were not the Ethiopians and the Libyans a huge army with very many chariots and horsemen? Yet because you relied on the Lord, he gave them into your hand. 9 For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him. You have done foolishly in this, for from now on you will have wars.” 10 Then Asa was angry with the seer and put him in the stocks in prison, for he was in a rage with him because of this. And Asa inflicted cruelties upon some of the people at the same time.

    11 The acts of Asa, from first to last, are written in the Book of the Kings of Judah and Israel. 12 In the thirty-ninth year of his reign Asa was diseased in his feet, and his disease became severe. Yet even in his disease he did not seek the Lord, but sought help from physicians. 13 And Asa slept with his fathers, dying in the forty-first year of his reign. 14 They buried him in the tomb that he had cut for himself in the city of David. They laid him on a bier that had been filled with various kinds of spices prepared by the perfumer’s art, and they made a very great fire in his honor.

    Go Deeper

    As we have read about in the previous couple of chapters, Judah was thriving under Asa’s leadership, and he was known for his commitment to honoring God throughout the kingdom. Then, something changed. Baasha, king of Israel, was fortifying the border of Israel and Judah with obvious plans to move into conflict with Asa and, perhaps, try to overtake the kingdom of Judah. The problem, however, was that Asa never even considered taking this threat to God for His guidance, strength, and protection that He had provided for the first 15 years of his reign. Judah was already stronger as a nation than Israel, and Asa’s armies could easily overtake the army of the king of Aram, Ben-hadad. Instead, he bribes the king of Aram with silver and gold from the temple of God (and the people of Judah) to be used as mercenary monies against the kingdom of Israel. Verses 5-6 show that the scheme worked. King Asa had the people of Judah remove all the fortifications of Baasha on the northern border. 

    Even in the apparent “success” of Asa’s decision to have king Ben-hadad fight his battle for him, we find that the eventual result was not good for him or the kingdom of Judah. King Asa had become “fat” in his successes, and worse, forgot who was truly in charge of his life and the kingdom God gave him to steward. The lesson here is clear. As we prosper and flourish in this life, we so easily forget who gives, provides, and guides us in all aspects of life whether physical or spiritual, or both. We must constantly seek the Lord to be reminded of what Paul wrote in Romans 11:36 says, “For from Him, and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.” 

    We now watch Hanani, the seer, call king Asa on his error. It is interesting that God used a seer to convict Asa of his sin. Seers of that time were pagan spiritual advisors guided by astrology and unrighteous methodologies similar to today’s versions of palm reading or future telling. Again, Asa doesn’t repent nor seek the high priest for help. Instead, he is incensed by the seer’s words and throws him in prison. History shows an increase in conflict with enemies of Judah as well as a less prosperous nation for several years following these events.  Once again, Asa has no sense of conviction for his errors and has others suffering within his kingdom for his mistakes. His once zealous heart for honoring God in all areas of his life and the kingdom, becomes a heart honoring only himself and his own ways.  

    This is always a recipe for personal disaster. The lesson for us here is two-fold. First, are we seeking God in all conflicts and difficulties we are facing? Asa continued in his self-centered journeys, and it cost him dearly. Psalm 139:24 says, “See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting.” We can pray this verse to the Lord and let His Spirit lead us in the right path in every circumstance.  Second, are our hearts open in letting others speak truth into us even when it hurts? Romans 3:23 says, “for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” In other words, we have all sinned. We have all made mistakes. The question is whether or not we have taken those to the throne of grace for forgiveness and correction. The grace of Christ gives us a new start every time we miss the mark. FirstJohn 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”  We don’t have to be angry or misled like Asa. The final years of Asa’s reign serve as a reminder to us that we must never allow ourselves to become numb to what the Spirit is doing. We must continue to let the Holy Spirit speak to us through sermons, scripture, prayer, and other believers so we can stay on track and never grow cold.

    Questions

    1. What do you think allowed Asa to grow cold and distant from seeking God?
    2. Are you walking closely with God and seeking His ways in every area of your life? If not, take a moment to pray Psalm 139:24 to Him and let Him speak to your heart about what He wants for you.
    3. Who do you have around you that will speak righteous truth into your life? When was the last time someone did that to you?

    A Quote

    George Williams, an 18th century Bible commentary writer wrote, “Spiritual victories teach the natural heart nothing. New victories cannot be won by remembrance of old faith; there must be a fresh exercise of faith in every crisis. The victorious Asa became the defeated Asa through his self-made plan of disaster.”

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