2 Chronicles 36 reminds me of the last day of school, when suddenly there is no time to finish the history text book. The teacher quickly skims through 5 chapters in a day. The final chapter of Chronicles covers four kings of Israel, the destruction of Jerusalem and 3 world powers in one chapter. Ultimately we see that God has authority over all things. We can fight against that reality, but that will end with frustration and failure. The message of the entire book is, with God there is always hope. The chapter begins with rapid changes. “The people of the land took Jehoahaz son of Josiah and made him king… he reigned in Jerusalem three months… The king of Egypt dethroned him… and made [Jehoiakim] king over Judah and Jerusalem… He did evil in the eyes of the Lord“. As Egypt’s power was waning, a new world power was coming of age, “Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon attacked him… took to Babylon articles from the temple of the Lord and put them in his temple there“. Notice that God will work through good men and evil men to teach and correct. He might even use your spouse or boss to get your attention! God’s righteous judgment is always tempered by His unlimited Mercy.
The fast-forward history lesson continues, “Jehoiachin… became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem three months and ten days. He did evil in the eyes of the Lord… King Nebuchadnezzar sent for him and brought him to Babylon, together with articles of value from the temple of the Lord… made Zedekiah, king over Judah and Jerusalem“. We see Babylon actually invaded three times and took some people and sacred articles each time. Even at this pace we see God allows each leader an opportunity to seek forgiveness. “Zedekiah… did evil in the eyes of the Lord… and did not humble himself… He became stiff-necked and hardened his heart and would not turn to the Lord… Furthermore… the priests and the people became more and more unfaithful… detestable practices… defiling the temple“. It is important to realize we all have an influence on the people around us. I’m convinced that people study you to know the God you serve. Do people see your God as loving?
Again we see the heart of our Heavenly Father reluctantly allows judgment. “The Lord…sent word to them through his messengers again and again, because He had pity on His people… But they mocked God’s messengers, despised his words and scoffed at his prophets until the wrath of the Lord was aroused against His people and there was no remedy“. We read the “Babylonians… spared neither young man nor young woman, old man or aged. God handed all of them over to Nebuchadnezzar… He carried to Babylon all the articles… and the treasures… set fire to God’s temple and broke down the wall of Jerusalem…destroyed everything of value there“. Even in utter destruction, there is hope, “He carried into exile to Babylon the remnant“. Even the sacred articles from the Temple were kept secure. We learn that the length of captivity was set to allow “The land enjoyed its sabbath rests… until the seventy years were completed“. As the book of Chronicles ends, God lifted up a new world power to accomplish His will. “The Lord moved the heart of Cyrus king of Persia“. “The Lord… has appointed me to build a temple for him at Jerusalem… Anyone of his people among you may the Lord his God be with him, and let him go up“. Friend, God can rebuild your life too if you are willing.