Day 131. 2 Chronicles 26-29

In our reading for today we continue to trace the ebb and flow of the political fortunes of the little kingdom of Judah, interpreted by the chronicler in terms of the God's favor or wrath. The Hebrew God always works through history to reveal himself and to work his will. For better or worse history is focused upon the rulers, not the farmers and shepherds. For the chronicler the kings of Judah are the index of the spiritual health or sickness of the nation. When they do what is right in the sight of the LORD the nation thrives, when they do evil the whole nation suffers. When King Amaziah dies violently at the hand of conspirators, his son Uzziah—he is called Azariah in the Book of 2 Kings—comes to the throne. He is only sixteen years of age at the time, and he goes on the reign 52 more years in Jerusalem, longer than any of the other kings of Judah. As a young man Uzziah sets himself "to seek God" under the guidance of the prophet Zechariah, the son of the famous high priest Jehoiada, who instructs "him in the fear of God." And as long as Uzziah seeks the LORD, God makes him prosper (26:5) So the beginning of Uzziah's reign was a period of expansion and prosperity. The king launches successful campaigns against the Philistines and exacts tribute from the Ammonites. He repairs the damage done to the walls and fortifications of Jerusalem during the reign of his father (26:9). He comes off as an enlightened and attractive ruler. He keeps large herds of his own and has farmers and vinedressers in his service--we are told, rather endearingly, that King Uzziah loves the soil (26:10), The king also maintains a large standing army, well armed. He even experiments with the latest in military technology. The chronicler tells us in Jerusalem he sets up "machines, invented by skilled workers, on towers and the corners for shooting arrows and large stones" (26). How wonderful it would be to see these ancient war machines with our modern eyes! Uzziah is a remarkable king. The chronicler sums up this golden time by saying that the fame of King Uzziah "spread far, for he was marvelously helped" by the LORD "until he become strong" (26:15). This marvelous help does not continue, however, because as he becomes strong, Uzziah also grows proud (26:16). It is his presenting vice. He even ventures to do what for the chronicler is an unthinkable act—he usurps the office of the priests and offers incense in the temple. The priests rebuke him for his presumption, and Uzziah is angry (26:18-19).  And in his anger he is struck with a disfiguring skin disease, and remains leprous "to the day of his death" (26:21). As a leper he is forced to live in a separate house, isolated and excluded from the house of the LORD" (26:21). His son Jothan is in charge of the palace and governs the people as king. Even in death Uzziah is excluded from burial with the kings of Judah, because of his leprosy (26:23). Jothan, we are told, does what is right like his father Uzziah, but he does "not invade the temple of the LORD" (27:2). In Israel, the kings are not priests. Although he does not succeed in stamping out idolatry among his people, Jothan energetically builds fortifications and successfully fights against the Ammonites. All in all, he is good ruler, and he becomes "strong because he [orders] his ways before the LORD his God" (27:6). His son Ahaz, however, is probably the worst of the David's successors. He casts images of the Baals; he sacrifices his children to pagan gods, making them "pass through the fire"; he sacrifices and makes offerings in the high places "and under every green tree" (28:2-4). The list of sacrileges the scandalized chronicler makes goes on and on.  And as a result of his unfaithfulness a terrible string of disasters fall upon the little kingdom of Judah--God is again using history for a purpose that is above history, to judge and punish his people for their sins. First they are invaded by the king of Aram, and then by King Pekah of Israel.  He carries off a very great number " of their kin, women, sons, and daughters" to Samaria with the intention of making them slaves (28:5). Of course, it is forbidden in the Law of Moses to hold other Israelites in bondage, and the prophet Oded reminds the warriors of this. He tells them that they have no credit to draw on with God--nothing "but sins against the Lord" (28:10). Striken by remorse  the Samarians, to their credit, release the captives and send them back "to their kindred at Jericho" (28:15). But Ahaz's troubles are not over. In a moment of crisis, he applies to the king of Assyria for help, but the mighty Tilgath-pilneser "[oppresses} him instead of strengthening him" (28:20). Ahaz plunders the house of the LORD and the houses of the king and his officials to give it to the Assyrian as tribute, but it does not help him (28:21). His situation remains desperate. But instead of repenting, he becomes still more faithless. He worships the gods of his enemies, making "altars in every corner of Jerusalem," and in a crowning outrage, he shuts up the doors of the house of the LORD (28:24).  And so it remains until Ahaz dies. He is buried in Jerusalem, but not among the kings, and he is succeeded by his son Hezekiah. If his father is the worst king Judah produces, after King David, Hezekiah is probably the best. He opens the doors of the temple which is father had closed and begins its repair (29:3). For the chronicler to neglect the temple is to neglect God (29:6); to repair the temple is to seek the LORD. This is what Hezekiah does. At his command the temple receives a thorough housecleaning; the filth and the signs of neglect are removed (29:18), and the sacrifices, the rituals of giving back to the LORD what he has given, resume (29:21). When the burnt offerings commence, so does the music and singing (29:25-27). "The whole assembly" worships, we are told; the singers sing, the trumpeters sound (29:28).  The round of worship begins again. King and people worship together (29:29), and the people mirror the single-mindedness and generosity of their king. They bring sacrifices "with a willing heart." The number of the sacrifices is as remarkable as the suddenness with which the change has taken place (29:36).  The days of David and Solomon seem to have returned. And yet Hezekiah will have severe tests to face in spite of his goodness and piety, as we shall see.