The Book of 2 Chronicles follows the pattern of First and Second Kings except for the fact that 2 Chronicles virtually ignores the northern Kingdom of Israel. Why is this? It’s because of their idolatrous worship on pagan high places and with total abandonment of worshipping God at the Temple in Jerusalem. In fact, when the two kingdoms divided after Solomon’s reign, the kings of the northern Kingdom intentionally established “high places” for the worship of idols, telling the people that there is no longer any need to travel south to Jerusalem because they had their own places of worship nearby.

One of the consistent themes of this Book is that whenever God’s people forsake His commandments, He withdraws His blessings. On the other hand, with obedience and faithfulness to God, He bestows those blessings upon His people. Solomon’s glory is seen in the first nine chapters, as the chronicler describes his reign of peace, prosperity, and faithful worship in the Temple. Under Solomon’s reign, Judah reached its zenith in land acquisition, wealth, and international prominence.

However, chapters 10-36 describe Judah’s decline and eventual deportation to Babylon as many of the kings did not follow in the ways of the LORD. The reason the nation was not destroyed sooner was that some of the kings like Asa, Jehoshaphat, Joash, Hezekiah, and Josiah brought much needed reforms in the areas of morality, justice, and honoring God in faithful temple worship. Unfortunately, the reforms by these rulers did not last beyond their generation, as evil kings always rose up to lead the people astray, eventually ending up in captivity.

There is a lot of history that is covered in this book, from the building of the Temple in Jerusalem by King Solomon in about 957 B.C. to Judah’s return from exile in 536 B.C., about 420 years. It’s interesting to note that the chronicler chose to focus on the Temple, with its initial construction by King Solomon and then after the exile, its reconstruction by the returning exiles.   

There are two key verses in 2 Chronicles that are instructive for us today, and both of them might be familiar to you. The first verse has to do with our responsibility as citizens, both of our country as well as citizens of heaven, and the second has to do with each one of us as individuals. Here is the first one,

“If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves and pray, and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sins, and will heal their land” (2 Ch. 7:14).

 Let’s always remember to keep Bible passages in their proper context, noting that God is here referring to His people, that is, His Old Covenant people, and specifically, those living in both Israel and Judah. At the same time, we must also move our thoughts to the New Covenant and recognize, as John says, “Now we are children of God….”  (1 Jn. 3:2). So, this verse in 2 Chronicles can be understood to mean “God’s people anywhere and at any time.” When the chronicler wrote, it was God’s chosen people of Israel and Judah, but with the entrance of the New Covenant, it refers to the church, or those who are genuine and faithful followers of the King of kings.

But what about our own nation where only some of the people in our land are followers of Christ, with everyone else not considered to be “God’s spiritual children”? Wouldn’t we want everyone to follow God’s admonition in this passage? Of course, we would. But we cannot expect those who are not followers of Jesus to act like they are, and so I consider this verse to be one where it behooves God’s people (i.e., the church) to “stand in the gap” for those who are not His followers. I believe that the prayers of God’s people, those who make up His church, can and will avail much.  

And so, our admonition is that we would humble ourselves, recognizing our total dependence on God for all things; then pray to Him, earnestly seeking His face (all that He desires for us); and also turn from our sins, even as followers of Christ; and then God will hear from heaven and heal our land. The challenge of this admonition is to believe that if we, as followers of Christ, can make a difference if we will turn from our own sin, at which time God will respond by causing our nation to do the same so that our land can be “healed.” And that “healing” will come in what I call the four “I” sins: idolatry; immorality; injustice; and indifference to God. Let’s believe it, and then do what God calls each of us to do for the sake of our nation.

And now for the second important verse in this book, a personal verse for each one of us,

“For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His” (2 Chron. 16:9).

Make no mistake about it – God is looking over the earth to find those whose heart is wholly devoted to Him, and whenever He finds such a person, He will “strongly support” them. That is, He will provide guidance, encouragement, and strength to accomplish all that God has called that person to do.

And so, it’s my prayer that each of us might consistently pray for our nation as we turn from sin in our own lives, and that we might turn our hearts completely over to the Lord who will respond by strongly supporting us in our life and calling as His followers. So, the bottom line has to do with turning: turning from our own sins and turning our hearts over the Jesus Christ, the One who has risen from the dead and desires to bless each one of us abundantly.

God bless you all, and Happy Easter.