Justin Houtz

2 Chronicles 14–15, Revelation 4, Haggai 2, John 3

DateVersionReading Plan
December 13, 2024ESV (2016)M’Cheyne Plan 2024

2 Chronicles 14

Abijah, king of Judah, died and was succeeded by Asa who did right in the eyes of the LORD. Asa removed foreign altars and commanded Judah to seek the LORD. He declared that they build up the towns and put walls around them because they had sought the LORD and He had given them rest on every side.

Zerah the Cushite marched out against Judah with a vast army, but Asa cried out to the LORD, acknowledging that there is none like Him and asking the LORD for help against Zerah. The LORD struck down the Cushites and they fled. The men of Judah carried away much spoil from the victory and returned to Jerusalem.

2 Chronicles 15

The Spirit of God came to Azariah who met with Asa to prophesy a message of encouragement. Azariah told Asa that if he sought the LORD, He would be found by them and that they were to be strong and that reward would result from their perseverance. Asa took courage in the words of Azariah, removing the detestable things from the land of Judah and Benjamin and repairing the altar of the LORD. Asa then assembled Jerusalem in the third month of the fifteenth year of his reign and sacrificed the livestock they had obtained from the plunder of the Cushites. The people entered into a covenant with the LORD and all who did not seek the LORD were put to death. They sought the LORD eagerly and He gave them rest on every side.

Asa also removed Maacah (his grandmother) from being queen mother because she has made a detestable image for Asherah. The high places were not taken down but Asa’s heart was fully dedicated to the LORD. He brought gold and silver to the temple along with the articles that he and his father had dedicated. There was no more war until the thirty-fifth year of Asa’s reign

2 Chronicles 15:1–2 (ESV) 15 The Spirit of God came upon Azariah the son of Oded, 2 and he went out to meet Asa and said to him, “Hear me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin: The LORD is with you while you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you.

“Azariah son of Oded is one of many prophets who make brief appearances in the books of 1 and 2 Chronicles. He came with a message of encouragement for Asa to continue his devotion to the Lord.” (CSB Notes)

Revelation 4

After the angel gave John instruction as to the churches, he looked and there was door standing open in heaven. A voice like a trumpet spoke to him and told him that he would be shown what must take place. “The voice that invites John to heaven is the voice of Christ (cf. vv. 10–11).” (BBC). John was taken in the Spirit and he saw a throne and Someone seated on it. He describes the throne’s makeup and environment and that it was surrounded by twenty-four thrones of twenty-four elders. In the center were four living creatures and John described their faces. The four living creatures resemble the cherubim in Ezk 1 and 10, though there are differences as well.” (CSB Notes). The creatures continually declare God’s holiness and as they give glory, honor and thanks to Him, the elders fall down, cast their crowns before the throne and declare the LORD as worthy to receive glory, honor and power. They ascribe to the LORD the creation of all things and that it was by His will that they were created and have their being.

Haggai 2

“2:1-9 Haggai again addresses Zerubbabel and Joshua, reassuring them with a message promising Yahweh’s presence (Hag 2:4; compare 1:13). Even though their temple appears inadequate in comparison to Solomon’s, Yahweh assures them that His glory will be present there just as it was for the earlier temple (compare v. 7 and 1 Kgs 8:10–11).” (FSB)

“2:10-19 This oracle uses priestly regulations and agricultural imagery to communicate the point that the people’s failure to complete the temple was a sin that had caused a general state of uncleanness. That unclean state affected everything because Yahweh was not blessing their efforts. Their earlier sacrifices were not accepted because of the uncleanness (Haggai 2:14). They also suffered from crop failures and natural disasters as a result (v. 17). Now that the people have resumed work on the temple, they can be assured that they will receive Yahweh’s blessings (v. 19). Since this oracle dates to a few months after the work resumed (1:14–15), Haggai could be drawing attention to an improvement in their agricultural production that season: The situation turned around when the people returned to work on the temple.” (FSB)

John 3

John 3:19–21 (ESV) 19 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. 20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. 21 But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.”

Christ died in order that we may be brought from death to life and from darkness to light, but corrupted hearts “prefer their sins to having Jesus as Savior, and so they reject Him. Just as some creeping things scurry away from the light, so wicked men flee from the presence of Christ…Those who love sin hate the light, because the light exposes their sinfulness.” (BBC). It is only by God’s grace that we are given preference for the light. Apart from His Spirit’s illuminating and regenerating work, we will indefinitely favor the darkness. Thanks be to God that He has chosen to give us eyes to see Him, that we might come to the Light of all hope and glory.

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