Adventure 23-26, II Chronicles: Where do our loyalties lie?

Continuing the theme of order from the previous book, there is a lot of detail given about the building and dedication of the temple, Solomon's wealth, and later the sacrifices of kings who turned back to God.

Leaving that theme behind, in this book I considered the emphasis on loyalty - particularly to the Lord, and the kings' trust in Him. Solomon's pray in chapter 6 seems to be a forewarning of what is coming. He acknowledged the reality that he and future kings would sin against the Lord - for there is no one who does not sin - and the Temple is to be a place to bring the people back to God in repentance. But they did not often do so.

For almost all the kings we have a short statement that sums up their life, and showed where their loyalty lay. They either did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, or did evil.

There are more grey 'report cards', though. Amaziah did what was right, but not with a whole heart - not fully loyal to God. This becomes clear after his conquest of Edom. He sought God's help to conquer the nation, which was granted. He then took Edom's idols, and set up places of worship for them. Some gratitude!

The other example is Jehoshaphat, who was courageous in the sight of the Lord. He seems to be similar to others who did right in the Lord's eyes, but his marriage alliance and willingness to be hang around and go to war alongside the evil house of Ahab trains his record. He leaves a good personal testimony in terms of his insistence on consulting the Lord's prophet before war, but doesn't follow the advice well. He also sets a strong example of faith as he goes into battle with only musical instruments and praise to God. However, his divided loyalty between God and the house of Ahab seems to lead the next generation to turn away from God. This breaks a line of kings that did 'what was right in God's sight'. Jehoram and Ahaziah both turn away from God, and are even closer to the house of Ahab. Jehoram also marries the house of Ahab, and his wife Athaliah rules as queen for a short time when Ahaziah is killed, continuing the evil reign.
This reason for this change in the line of kings from good to evil does not lie solely with Jehoshaphat, but his alliance with the house of Ahab does seems to be a major contributor. It reminds me of the importance of seeking Godly companions, and not making strong alliances with people whose loyalty does not lie with God, for they will try to drag my loyalty to Him away.

Jehoiada turns the next king's loyalty back to the Lord, and his faith in protecting Joash as a child and setting him up as king is remarkable testimony to his loyalty to God. Joash reigns well while Jehoiada lives, but turned back to idolatry when Jehoiada died, ignoring the warning of Jehoiada's son Zechariah.

Hezekiah also shows strong loyalty to God in the face of very difficult circumstance. In today's terms, Sennacharib's invasion could be thought similar to the US or China invading NZ, or any other small country. Unlike other kings before him, Hezekiah turns not to other kings about him for help, but turns to the Lord, and the Lord rewards his loyalty and smites the Assyrian army Himself. In the end of his days his heart turned to pride and self-interest, but he did humble himself before God when confronted.

Manasseh his son began with his loyalty fixed on idolatry and false gods, but humbled himself and turned his loyalty to God. His son also turned to idols, but his loyalty did not change, refusing to humble himself.

Finally, we get to Josiah! How good it is to see the testimony of a man who turned the people back to following God, and where the people did not turn away from God all the days of his life! He was a loyal king indeed, loyal first to God, and to his people in leading them to God - reminding them of the law, and turning all again to the feasts held in remembrance of all that God had done for them. Challenging to think about how loyal I am to the people around me in reminding them of all God has done!

The final kings are not loyal either to God or to their word when conquered by Babylon. Yet God is shown loyal to His word by Isaiah - Cyrus proclaimed the return of the captives to Judah.

So where do our loyalties lie? With God, or with idols (whatever form they take today)? If to God, is our heart constant, or do we hold something back - or compromise our witness by allying with evil. And do we seek to remind others of God and draw their loyalty to Him (through His power of course, not our own)?

Frances R Havergal:

1. Who is on the Lord’s side? Who will serve the King?
   Who will be His helpers, other lives to bring?
   Who will leave the world’s side? Who will face the foe?
   Who is on the Lord’s side? Who for Him will go?
   By Thy call of mercy, by Thy grace divine,
   We are on the Lord’s side—Savior, we are Thine!
2. Not for weight of glory, nor for crown and palm,
   Enter we the army, raise the warrior psalm;
   But for love that claimeth lives for whom He died:
   He whom Jesus saveth marches on His side.
   By Thy love constraining, by Thy grace divine,
   We are on the Lord’s side—Savior, we are Thine!
3. Jesus, Thou hast bought us, not with gold or gem,
   But with Thine own lifeblood, for Thy diadem;
   With Thy blessing filling each who comes to Thee,
   Thou hast made us willing, Thou hast made us free.
   By Thy grand redemption, by Thy grace divine,
   We are on the Lord’s side—Savior, we are Thine!
4. Fierce may be the conflict, strong may be the foe,
   But the King’s own army none can overthrow;
   ’Round His standard ranging, vict’ry is secure,
   For His truth unchanging makes the triumph sure.
   Joyfully enlisting, by Thy grace divine,
   We are on the Lord’s side—Savior, we are Thine!
5. Chosen to be soldiers, in an alien land,
   Chosen, called, and faithful, for our Captain’s band;
   In the service royal, let us not grow cold,
   Let us be right loyal, noble, true and bold.
   Master, wilt Thou keep us, by Thy grace divine,
   Always on the Lord’s side—Savior, always Thine!