Day 215 – 2 Chronicles 32-33

Talking Points

• God is consistent in revealing His astounding greatness to His people. One of the reasons for His doing this is that they would be quick to trust Him. How would you not walk with so great a God? King Hezekiah reminds the people, “for the one with us is greater than the one with him” (2 Chronicles 32:7).
• God blesses Hezekiah for his faithfulness to God and rewards his obedience. The Bible says, “prospered in all that he did” (32:30). And then, almost out of place, the Bible says he became prideful. This good-hearted, obedient king started to think he was deserving of God’s blessing. Over and over we are warned against pride. Even in the most unsuspecting person, it can strike. May we be careful to walk in humility, pointing alone to God’s great glory.
• As King Manasseh marches forward, walking in wickedness and leading his people to sin, God spoke to him and his people. He warned them, seriously calling them too repentance. Our verses record their response: “they paid no attention” (33:10). It means they gave no heed to God’s warnings; they ascribed no value to His words. And, again, we see that sin always follows the setting aside of God’s Word.
• As believers, we are called and commissioned to share the Truth of Jesus Christ. On days when God’s words of Truth are heeded, we rejoice, as sinners come home. On days when people pay no attention, ascribing no value to them, we mourn. But, on all days, we continue to speak.
• Manasseh is captured and brought to Babylon, and in his distress, he humbles himself and calls out to the LORD, who hears him, is moved by his prayer, and has him brought back to Jerusalem. “Then Manasseh knew that the LORD was God (33:14).” He removed the foreign gods and idol from the Temple, setting up an altar of the LORD and sacrificing peace and thank offerings on it. We should repent, humbling ourselves, crying out to the LORD, and returning to Him, while it is still called “today.”

Thoughts

In the accounts today, we see a war of words. King Hezekiah spoke words of encouragement, reminding the people of the God they followed. He was deliberate in calling them to “be strong and courageous” (32:7). The Bible tells us that the people “relied on” those words (32:8). The Hebrew word translates: “leaned on, were supported by, were strengthened by.” The people were made stronger by Hezekiah’s words of truth.

At the same time, Sennacherib tried to dissuade the people by speaking against King Hezekiah and against the LORD. He tried to discredit and insult Hezekiah. He called God powerless.

Today, we also exist in a war of words. On one side, we have the voice of Truth — God’s Word. In it, we find direction, help, and encouragement. On the other side, we have the voice of Satan, still trying to discredit and insult the words of Truth. He still calls God powerless. Satan’s voice has never stopped trying to lead us astray.

So, our question today is: Which voice will we listen to? Our answer will make all the difference!