May 2, 2025 - 2 Chronicles 34-36

The story of the southern kingdom of Judah is nearing its end.  And it does not end well.  However, as before, there is a good story here and there:  “Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem. And he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, and walked in the ways of David his father” (34:1-2).  The book of the law (probably Deuteronomy) was found in a dusty corner (OK, I sort of made that up; however, it had been lost) of the temple.  When it was read, Josiah was beside himself realizing how the temple had been turned over to gross idolatry.  He removed idols and restored a right worship of God.  When Neco, king of Egypt invaded, Josiah was killed in battle.  From that point, things went rapidly down hill with Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, and Zedekiah.  Jerusalem and the temple were destroyed.  God had drawn a line, and the people had crossed it with terrible consequences including being carried into exile.  However, Persia succeeded Babylon, and the king of Persia, Cyrus, declared, “Whoever is among you of all his people, may the Lord his God be with him. Let him go up [that is, return to Jerusalem]” (36:23).  And so, the story continues . . .

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father

There is no shadow of turning with Thee

Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not

As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be.

Great is Thy faithfulness

Great is Thy faithfulness

Morning by morning new mercies I see

All I have needed Thy hand hath provided

Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me.   --Thomas O. Chisholm, 1866-1960