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Day 228 – Thru the Bible
Today we continue Second Chronicles.
2 Chronicles 9 – The report of Solomon’s wisdom had spread well beyond the borders of Israel, attracting the attention of foreign rulers like the famed Queen of Sheba. God had been faithful to His promise by making Solomon the wisest of men (1:1–13) and prospering his kingdom in countless ways.
It is almost shocking, therefore, when Jesus declares of Himself, “The queen of the South [Sheba] will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, something greater than Solomon is here” (Matthew 12:42; Luke 11:31). Jesus, the poor peasant preacher from Nazareth, “in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:3), is indeed greater than Solomon.
As Believers who daily live in light of God’s rich grace, we are transformed more and more into the image of our Lord (2 Corinthians 3:18). As this transformation occurs, we grow in wisdom and discernment (Romans 12:2), possessing with Jesus treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
2 Chronicles 10 & 11 – When Israel first requested a king like all the other nations, the Lord warned them through Samuel that human kings would only bring oppression and slavery (1 Samuel 8:10–18). The Lord’s warning had become a reality in Israel, reminding us that choosing any rule but God’s over our lives is ultimately some form of bondage.
In contrast to the yoke of oppression and the great burdens described here, the true King of God’s people would one day proclaim, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28–30).
This invitation of King Jesus teaches us about the true nature of power, authority, and leadership. By coming under the authority of Jesus’ kingship, we are then free to express this same type of loving authority in our own spheres of leadership and responsibility.
Though it might seem like things are quickly deteriorating in the life of God’s people after the grandeur of the Solomonic era, it is good to be reminded that this too is a part of God’s redemptive plan (1 Kings 11:29–39). The best days of the united monarchy with human rule could not bring to fulfillment God’s ultimate intentions. Thus, the division of the kingdom and its subsequent destruction calls us to look beyond this temporary shadow to the eternal light of the true and better kingdom (Revelation 21–22).
How do these chapters help you see that the Old Testament shadows are pointing us to the true substance, who is Jesus?
2 Chronicles 12 – A pattern that emerges among Israel’s kings, typified by both Solomon and his son Rehoboam, is that once established and strong they begin to forsake the Lord, abandon His law, and worship other gods. These men had political power, fame, wealth, wives, children, and all of the other trappings associated with success, all stemming from the gracious provision of the Lord. If any group of people ever had the resources and privileges necessary to trust in the Lord, it was these kings of Israel. Their failures show us the inability of external resources as a means for producing true and genuine change in the human heart.
When King Jesus arrived, He did not come with political power, wealth, wives, or heirs. Rather, He came as the impoverished King, but the King who could actually—through His scandalous grace—change our hearts. “For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul” (Mark 8:36)? The wealth of human kings impoverish the people, but the poverty of our heavenly King has made us rich beyond calculation (2 Corinthians 8:9).
How does this truth lead you to worship Jesus?
What other thoughts or questions does today’s reading bring up?
Some of these notes are from the ESV Gospel Transformation Bible study notes. We highly recommend this study Bible.
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