Purpose

To show God's blessing on obedient kings and encourage proper worship in the restored community.

Author

Traditionally attributed to Ezra, continuing his emphasis on temple worship and God's faithfulness. Ezra's priestly perspective shapes the narrative to encourage proper worship and obedience.

Historical Context

Written: 450-400 BC. Continuation of Israel's history with emphasis on Judah and temple worship.

Significance

Demonstrates the connection between obedience and blessing, encouraging faithfulness in worship.

Key Themes

Obedience and Blessing, Temple Worship, Revival, God's Mercy, Restoration

Interesting Facts

• Solomon's temple dedication lasted 14 days with so many sacrifices they couldn't be counted
• God's glory filled the temple so powerfully that the priests couldn't stand to minister
• Asa removed his own grandmother from being queen mother because she made an idol

Prophecies

• Cyrus would allow the Jews to return and rebuild the temple (implied in the ending) Fulfilled: Cyrus's decree in 538 BC0

2 Chronicles 28 presents a sobering account of King Ahaz's reign over Judah, marked by disobedience and spiritual decay. Ahaz ascended to the throne at a young age, just twenty, and reigned for sixteen years in Jerusalem. Unlike his ancestor David, Ahaz did not follow the ways of the Lord, opting instead to embrace the idolatrous practices common among the kings of Israel. He constructed metal images for the Baals and even went so far as to sacrifice his own sons in the Valley of Hinnom, engaging in abominable acts that were detestable to God. This blatant disregard for divine worship ultimately led to catastrophic consequences for Judah. The chapter details the military defeats Judah suffered at the hands of both Syria and Israel, highlighting the consequences of Ahaz's sinful actions. In a single day, 120,000 valiant men from Judah were killed by the forces of Israel, signifying a significant loss for the nation. Additionally, the Israelites captured 200,000 people, including women and children, from Judah, taking them to Samaria. A prophet named Oded intervened at this critical juncture, warning the victorious army that their wrath against Judah had exceeded the bounds of divine judgment. Oded urged them to return the captives, reminding them that they had their own sins to contend with. This prophetic warning found a response among certain leaders from Ephraim, who recognized the danger of further sin against the Lord by enslaving their fellow Israelites. They insisted on returning the captives and caring for their needs, which reflects a glimpse of compassion amidst the turmoil. However, the chapter concludes with a grim picture of Ahaz's continued reliance on foreign powers, like Assyria, in a futile attempt to gain strength against invading forces from Edom and Philistia. The Lord's judgment upon Judah is evident, as Ahaz's actions led to humiliation and suffering for his people. This narrative serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of disobedience and the importance of true worship in the life of God’s people.