The Book of 2 Chronicles
- Mar 2019 Issue
Imagine God saying to you: “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.” What would you ask? In the first chapter of 2 Chronicles, that’s exactly what God tells Solomon. Solomon asks for wisdom and knowledge. God grants Solomon his request, and because he wants the things of God and not material things, God also gives him tremendous wealth, prosperity, and strength for his kingdom.
This month in Today in the Word, we’ll study 2 Chronicles, from the inspiring story of the reign of King Solomon to the unhappy reigns of Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, and Zedekiah. From the restoration of the temple at the beginning of the book to the melancholy account of the utter ruin and desolation of Judah and Jerusalem at the end.
Solomon wanted to honor God, and his choices revealed what was in his heart. As we review the arc of Israel’s history in 2 Chronicles, let this account challenge you and help you search your heart. In the same way that Solomon passed the test of choosing spiritual things amid the unlimited possibilities granted to him, may we choose Christ and His righteousness always, everywhere, in all circumstances. And just as the book ends with a brief note of hope for return from the Babylonian captivity, may we also have hope, even in the midst of hardships and pain.
—Elena Mafter, Senior Editor