Today we come to 2 Chronicles 13-15. We saw yesterday in chapter 12 that Rehoboam “acted wisely for a time” (cf., 2 Chronicles 11:23), but unfortunately, not for long. Reviewing chapter 12, we see that “he and all Israel with him abandoned the law of the LORD” (cf., 2 Chronicles 12:1). Because of this unfaithfulness and apostasy, the LORD arranged for Shishak, king of Egypt, to attack Jerusalem in the fifth year” of Rehoboam’s reign (verse 2). We saw that a state of “continual warfare existed between Rehoboam and Jeroboam as well, and Rehoboam died (verse 15). Coming then to chapter 13, we see that Abijah, Rehoboam’s son, became king in his place. 1 Kings 15 tells us that Abijah “committed all the same sins as his father” (verse 3), and here, we learn that Abijah also continued the wars with Jeroboam (verse 2). Interestingly, Abijah stood up on Mount Zemaraim and proclaimed the whole story about how Jeroboam opposed Rehoboam to become king of Israel (verses 4-7). For all his wickedness, nevertheless Abijah also stated, “God is with us; He is our leader,” and with the sound of their battle cry, “God routed Jeroboam and all Israel before Jeroboam … and God delivered them” (verses 12-16). At the beginning of chapter 14, we see the death of Abijah and the succession of Asa, his son, “who did what was right in the eyes of the LORD” (verse 1). Asa’s testimony was clear – “LORD, there is no one like you to help the powerless against the mighty. Help us, O LORD our God, for we rely on you … you are our God; do not let man prevail against you” (verse 11). That ought to be our prayer every day. In chapter 15, we see the prophet, Azariah, encourage Asa – “Your work will be rewarded” (verse 7). We read that Asa took courage from these words, and he began in Judah a series of effective reforms which God blessed. Why? Because “Asa’s heart was fully committed to the LORD, all his life” (verse 17). To live a blameless life, we should follow Asa's example.
Psalm 101 is a song of praise in which David extols the love and justice of the LORD. David’s desire is to be “careful to lead a blameless life by walking with a blameless heart – setting no vile thing before his eyes” (verses 1-3). He resolves “to avoid faithless men of perverse heart and their deeds, and to have nothing to do with them” (verses 3-4). David wants only blameless men to minister to him (verse 6). Three times we see David’s prayerful concern for righteousness in his life. Blameless does not mean sinless perfection. Living a blameless life before men and women of the world means to live with integrity – like David did – (cf., Psalm 78:72). Thus, the concept of blamelessness is synonymous with integrity. The negative elements of this Psalm – faithlessness (verse 2); vile things (verse 3); perversity (verse 4); slander (verse 5); haughty eyes and pride (verse 5); and deceit (verse 7) – none of these have a part in a blameless life.
In 1 Corinthians 14:20-40, Paul’s rebukes of the Corinthian church, which is not a model for us to follow, reveal how chaotic, problematic, and spiritually out of order that church really was. Regarding its practices of spiritual gifts – and for the sake of order – Paul is definitely emphasizing restraint as the norm and clear limitations on the so-called “charismatic gifts.” A failure to understand the Corinthian church’s departure from the biblical standard for church-practices actually leads people to misunderstand the entire book - allowing some readers to approve what Paul is condemning. The popular approach to tongues, prophecies, words of knowledge, faith-healings, and especially women speaking out publicly in the contemporary church has no real place in a church that claims to be biblical in its practices. Such practices misguide unbelievers (verse 23), and they contribute to disorder. Moreover, these activities are hardly necessary or useful today because we have the apostolic (i.e., final and complete) words of knowledge and revelation in the Scriptures themselves – to which nothing can be added or taken away (cf., Revelation 22:18-10). Finally, we come together for the purposes of biblical worship (which focuses totally on God – not on man), for praise, for instruction in righteousness, and for fellowship. Almost always, the charismatic gifts redirect our attention away from God to man, and they always lead to pride and disorder.
Comments