Justin Houtz

2 Chronicles 11–12, Revelation 2, Zephaniah 3, John 1

DateVersionReading Plan
@December 11, 2024ESV (2016)M’Cheyne Plan 2024

2 Chronicles 11–12

2 Chronicles 12:1 (ESV)
12 When the rule of Rehoboam was established and he was strong, he abandoned the law of the LORD, and all Israel with him.

“Rehoboam stopped following the law of Moses after faithfully following the examples of David and Solomon for three years (11:17 and note). The account in 1 Kings gives more details, indicating that Rehoboam made high places for idol worship and allowed cult prostitution (1 Kgs 14:22–24).” (FSB)

The fact that Rehoboam abandoned the law of the LORD once he was established and strong is indicative of the human heart bent toward inward attribution of success. We so easily assign achievement to our own abilities and entirely forget that every effort that prospers is due to God’s abundant grace. May we then see our own sinful nature in Rehoboam’s abandonment of God and repent of our self-sufficiency, living instead in utter reliance, surrender and devotion to our LORD.

Revelation 2

Revelation 2:4, 14, 20 (ESV)
4 But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.
…
14 But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality.
…
20 But I have this against you, that you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and is teaching and seducing my servants to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols.

John conveys the message of Jesus to four churches in this chapter: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum and Thyatira. The pattern for all churches seems to be an initial commendation for their works, love and faith, holding fast to His name and the like. But then, in all except for the church of Smyrna, Jesus speaks of having one or more things against them. He calls for repentance, to remain faithful, remembering from where they had fallen and to not adhere to false teaching. These confrontations should strike a chord with the saints of the modern church as well; an opportunity to examine our hearts, repent of sin as it is revealed, guard against the aberrant doctrines of this world and walk in a manner worthy of our calling.

Zephaniah 3

“3:1–8 Having described the judgment of the surrounding nations, Zephaniah returns to his denouncement of Jerusalem. The prophet’s attack takes the form of a woe pronouncement (see Hab 2:6–20).” (FSB)

“3:9–20 Following the prophetic custom, Zephaniah concludes his book with a message of hope (e.g., Hos 14:1–9; Joel 3:18–21; Amos 9:11–15). He begins by announcing the future restoration of the Gentile nations; then he communicates God’s promise to restore the Israelites, His chosen people.” (FSB)

John 1

John 1:11, 24 (ESV)
11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him.
…
24 (Now they had been sent from the Pharisees.) 25 They asked him, “Then why are you baptizing, if you are neither the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” 26 John answered them, “I baptize with water, but among you stands one you do not know,

Multiple times in this chapter we see that God’s own people, the Jews, did not know or receive Jesus. As the CSB Notes states, “Messiah’s rejection by the Jews despite convincing proofs of his messiahship (esp. the “signs”) is a major subject in the first half of John’s Gospel (cp. 12:37).” (CSB Notes). In our arrogance, we can claim that we would be more attentive, but we are really no different, possessing hearts every bit as defiant as the Pharisees. Only by His Spirit are we given eyes to see the realities of our Messiah and of His glorious work of redemption. Let us then rejoice in the God of all grace who has illumined us as to believe in His name and be given the right to become His children.

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