Justin Houtz

2 Chronicles 10, Revelation 1, Zephaniah 2, Luke 24

DateVersionReading Plan
December 10, 2024ESV (2016)M’Cheyne Plan 2024

2 Chronicles 10

Rehoboam, son of Solomon, came to Shechem where all Israel had come to make him king. When Jeroboam heard of this, he returned from Egypt where he had fled during the reign of Solomon. The CSB Notes provides helpful background on Jeroboam:

Jeroboam, from the tribe of Ephraim, at one time had been the leader of Solomon’s labor force in Jerusalem (1Kg 11:26–40). One day when he was outside the city walls, the prophet Ahijah approached him and told him that he would be king over the ten northern tribes (1Kg 11:29). Realizing that he had been officially designated as a future traitor and that Solomon could execute him, Jeroboam fled to Egypt and remained there for the rest of Solomon’s reign. As soon as Jeroboam heard about the impending coronation of Rehoboam, he made his way back from exile in Egypt to join the assembly. (CSB Notes)

The people sent for Jeroboam who, along with Israel, came before Rehoboam and requested that their yoke be lightened. Rehoboam told them to come back in three days. Rehoboam took counsel with the old men who stood before his father, Solomon, and told him that if he would do good to the people, please them and speak good words to them, they would be his servants forever. However, Rehoboam abandoned their counsel and sought counsel from the young men who had grown up with him. According to the CSB Notes, these men “were in their forties, and they had been forced to wait for a long time to have any influence in the kingdom. These younger men saw the opportunity to assert themselves, and they suggested to Rehoboam that he speak sharply to the people.” (CSB Notes)

The people returned to Rehoboam on the third day as they were instructed and Rehoboam proceeded to answer them harshly with the counsel of the young men, saying, “My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add to it. My father disciplined you with whips, but I will discipline you with scorpions.” (2 Chron. 10:14). The Chronicler is makes clear that Rehoboam not listening to the people was a fulfillment of what God had prophesied through Ahijah to Jeroboam.

The response among the people was that they had no inheritance with the son of Jesse and they returned to their tents. Rehoboam reigned over the people of Israel who lived in Judah. As the CSB Notes points out, the result of Rehoboam’s actions toward the people of Israel was such that he “did not lose all his territory, but his kingdom was restricted to the tribe of Judah.” (CSB Notes). Rehoboam sought to bring the rebellion in line by sending his taskmaster, Hadoram, over the forced labor, but the people and Israel stoned him to death with stones. Rehoboam mounted his chariot and fled to Jerusalem and Israel remained in perpetual rebellion against the house of David.

Revelation 1

Revelation 1:7 (ESV) 7 Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen.

John provides a profound description of the coming of Christ; that He will come with the clouds (imagery from Daniel 7:13-14), that every eye will see Him—even those who pierced Him—and that the tribes of the earth will wail on account of Him. Then, to punctuate the surety of Christ’s return, John said, “Even so. Amen.” It was this that struck me in particular today.

As His followers, we look to Christ’s coming with joyful longing; unquestioning that there will be a Day in which He will bring final judgment and make all things new. Believers join together as the church in eager expectation in the midst of difficult, precursory circumstances. How wonderful it is that we gaze upon our inheritance, life forever with our Lord and herald the coming of our King.

Zephaniah 2

“In the opening of this section, Zephaniah declares that the only hope for the children of Israel is repentance (Zeph 2:1–3). He calls the nation to gather together and seek Yahweh before the announced decree takes effect. Zephaniah begs the inhabitants of Judah to humble themselves, obey Yahweh’s commands, and be filled with righteousness in the hope that they will then be hidden on the day of Yahweh’s anger (v. 3; compare Amos 5:15). Having described the judgment of Judah (Zeph 1:4–15), the prophet turns his attention to the nations surrounding Judah (vv. 4–15).” (FSB)

Luke 24

Luke 24:41 (ESV) 41 And while they still disbelieved for joy and were marveling, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?”

“It is understandable that some were slow to believe. This was a highly unusual and unexpected event. Realizing their doubts, Jesus offered an additional piece of evidence. He showed them that he could eat food (a piece of a broiled fish), something no ghost could do.” (CSB Notes)

It seems worthwhile to consider that the disbelief expressed here was likely not rooted in rejection but rather a difficulty in comprehension. The disciples were clearly startled and astounded at what was happening, that Jesus was truly alive in the flesh after certainly dying and being buried in a tomb. This is the kind of wonder that should be engendered among His followers, that our Lord was crucified and put to death, having taken the punishment we deserved upon Himself, rising again to display His glory and that we may have resurrection life in His name.

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