2 Chronicles 25 – 28

Verse 25:3 seems to be very common with kings:

As soon as he took power in the Southern Kingdom, Amaziah solidified his throne by executing his opponents, the servants who had assassinated his father Joash. 

For some reason Israel thought they needed to be led by a king, like the other nations. What happened was inevitable, the kings started acting like kings of other nations. The brutality of a monarch is to maintain their rule hence the beauty of today’s system of government in the USA. Granted we have flaws, but as far as we know Obama did not kill off any opponent who may usurp his power. The people can reset the two branched of the system each election cycle.

Now based on today’s reading it almost sounds like the people did not always follow their leader and may have chosen something far worse. Jotham was one who followed God yet the people ignored his leadership and “continued in corrupt lifestyles.”

Verse 26:15 caught my eye since it was an “invention”:

In Jerusalem, he positioned catapults to shoot arrows and great stones, a new invention by ingenious men, in the towers and on the corners of the city wall. Because of his impressive army, many of the surrounding nations knew about Uzziah and how God helped him win battles.

This was around 760 BC when they discovered the invention. When exploring the “catapult” on the internet the most common date is 399 BC, so why do they ignore the first catapult in the Bible? Part of the reason is they were described as “engines” and “devices designed by experts” to hurl arrows and large stones. Like with many other innovations, I contend the Israelites invented the catapult and are just not credited with it.

Verse 26:16 shows how quickly power gets to one’s head:

 But when Uzziah had built his army and he no longer thought he needed God’s help in battles, he became prideful and corrupt. He was unfaithful to the Eternal One, his True God, entering the Eternal’s temple to burn incense on the altar.

Suddenly the thoughts and power given by God are considered man born and pride takes over the relationship with The Eternal. How often when things are going good we quickly drift into a path of self-pride. We should continue to praise God and thank Him for all blessings. It’s an ugly path if we don’t remain humble before God and give Him credit.

Chapter 28 ends with Ahaz and his misdeeds before the Lord. Very Sad!