Justin Houtz

2 Chronicles 9, Jude, Zephaniah 1, Luke 23

DateVersionReading Plan
December 9, 2024ESV (2016)M’Cheyne Plan 2024

2 Chronicles 9

After hearing of Solomon’s fame, the queen of Sheba came to Jerusalem came to test him with hard questions. According to the FSB, “[’hard questions’ is a] Hebrew word used here, chidah, can describe a riddle or a teaching from elders.” (FSB). Solomon answered all her questions and there was nothing hidden from her. After the queen saw Solomon’s great wisdom and wealth, there was no breath left in her. She told Solomon that all the reports of his wisdom were true but that she did not believe it until she saw it with her own eyes. She spoke of the happiness of Solomon’s wives and servants and blessed God who was delighted in Solomon whom God had set as king. She gave Solomon much gold (perhaps a tribute payment) and a great quantity of spices and precious stones.

The Chronicler then shifts focus to “explain the source of some of Solomon’s wealth” (BBC), the servants of Hiram and the servants of Solomon who had brought gold from Ophir, algum wood and precious stones. The focus shifts back to the queen of Sheba, that Solomon gave her all she asked or desired before returning to her own land with her servants.

The remaining verses describe Solomon’s wealth along with items fashioned with valuable materials. Many things were made of gold and silver was not considered anything in the days of Solomon. He excelled all the kings of the earth in riches and all sought his presence to hear his wisdom. Solomon accumulated horses and chariots, ruling over all the kings from the Euphrates to the land of the Philistines.

The Chronicler described how the acts of Solomon were also recorded in three other sources that have since been lost to history: “one associated with Nathan the prophet (2 Sam 7), another with Ahijah the Shilonite (1 Kgs 11:29–39), and a third associated with Iddo, a figure known only from 2 Chronicles…These seem to have been works about, or by, these prophetic figures.” (FSB) Solomon reigned in Jerusalem forty years before dying and being buried in the city of David his father. Rehoboam then reigned in his place.

Jude

Jude 24–25 (ESV) 24 Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, 25 to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.

“Jude ended his letter with a doxology that served as a reminder of the divine power available to believers as they contend against heretics. He praised God because he was able to protect believers from falling into the sinful practices of the false teachers and grant them entrance into his glorious presence.” (CSB Notes)

The doxology of Jude is so wonderfully rich in worship, praise and reverence of God. Our Lord is gracious and all-powerful to keep His children from stumbling, to present us as blameless in the presence of His glory with great joy. How awesome and faithful is our God to sustain us along the path of righteousness that we may behold His glory with unending joy! To God alone, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord—in all ages prior, this time forth and forever more—belong glory, majesty, dominion and authority.

Zephaniah 1

“Zephaniah prophesied during the reforms of King Josiah (640–609 B.C.), who brought spiritual revival to Judah after the long and disastrous reign of Manasseh. Zephaniah pronounced God’s judgment on corruption and wickedness but also his plan to restore Judah. He spoke of the coming “day of the Lord,” when sin would be punished, justice would prevail, and a “remnant” of the faithful would be saved. The term “day of the Lord” occurs throughout the Bible referring both to impending historical judgments from God and to his final judgment at the end of time. Though Zephaniah does not give details about this day, he speaks of its fearsome consequences (1:18) and calls people to seek the Lord (2:3).”

“[Ref. Zeph. 1:14-18] The most vivid picture in the Bible of the day of the Lord is given here; it is the day of God’s wrath on men because of their wickedness, the men of Judah in particular. It is a day of war, distress, and slaughter.” (BBC)

Luke 23

Luke 23:2 (ESV) 2 And they began to accuse him, saying, “We found this man misleading our nation and forbidding us to give tribute to Caesar, and saying that he himself is Christ, a king.”

“The three charges the Jews brought against Jesus in Pilate’s presence were fabrications. It was true that huge crowds had flocked to hear Jesus speak, but his teachings were not aimed at misleading Israel. The claim that he was opposing payment of taxes to Caesar was an outright lie” (CSB Notes)

As no point was Jesus ever recorded as forbidding the Jews from giving tribute to Caesar. In fact, we find the exact opposite only a couple chapters prior where Luke described Jesus’ instruction to the Jews that they were to “render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” (Luke 20:25). This blatant lie on the part of the Jews showcases the level of corruption and selfish motivations of which the human heart is capable. Their aim was not justice but a personal vendetta against the Son of God for confronting their self-righteousness and hypocrisy. If this rings familiar, it is because this is the default nature of every human soul; a radical rebellion against our Creator. May we then be crushed by our sin and transgression against the Lord that we turn to Him in repentance and faith. How gracious is He to reveal our sin, to see our great need for His salvation and that He has given us new life in Himself through the work of Christ.

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