2 chronicles 27 and 28

Read 2 Chronicles 27 and 28 at Bible Gateway.

The Hebrew paragraph divisions:

2 Chr 27:1-9 {p} The 16-yr reign of righteous Jotham, but still the people acted corruptly
2 Chr 28:1-5 {s} Ahaz did wickedly, was defeated before Syria, who carried away captives, and Israel
2 Chr 28:6-7 {s} Pekah king of Israel killed 120,000 of Judah, even the king’s son + his officers
2 Chr 28:8 {s} Israel carried away 200,000 women + children captive and much spoil
2 Chr 28:9-11 {s} Prophet to Israel: return the captives/ wrath of the LORD is upon you
2 Chr 28:12-13 {s} Some chiefs of Ephraim: you shall not bring the captives here/ wrath of the LORD is upon us
2 Chr 28:14-15 {p} They clothed, fed, and anointed them, brought them to Jericho to their brethren
2 Chr 28:16-27 {p} Judah defeated before her enemies because of Ahaz’s unfaithfulness/ his death, burial

The strong themes:

2 Chr 28:1-15 {sx5+p} Captives carried away from Judah (by Syria, Israel) because of the country’s wickedness, but because of the LORD’s compassion, most were returned

The strong theme is a prophetic picture the LORD was speaking to Judah, to warn them (besides the warnings they already had in Torah, which they ignored) that continued unfaithfulness would result in defeat and captivity. Even this prophetic warning however, ended with the return of the captives, just as the LORD had promised, despite all their unfaithfulness.

What causes a people to be unfaithful to the LORD God? I do believe when we remove the ancient landmarks that the men of old have set (Deu 19:14), in other words, when we stop doing the things the LORD has commanded us to do, and redefine righteousness and sin — all things bounded by the ancient landmark of Torah — we have started on the path of unfaithfulness, and ultimately, of being brought low. But when the blessing and curse comes upon the people, and their eyes are opened to their sin, and they repent, the good, gracious, and forgiving God restores them and returns them. Thank You Father!

The chiastic structures of King Jotham and Ahaz’s reign:

2 Chr 27:1-9, King Jotham:

1a) 2 Chr 27:1, Jotham 25 years old when he became king + reigned 16 years/ his mother was Jerushah;

1b) 2 Chr 27:2, He did right in the sight of the LORD, but still the people acted corruptly;

1c) 2 Chr 27:3-4, He built the Upper Gate, wall of Ophel, cities, fortresses + towers;

central axis) 2 Chr 27:5, War with Ammon + defeated them, they paid him tribute;

2c) 2 Chr 27:6a, So Jotham became mighty;

2b) 2 Chr 27:6b, Because he prepared his ways before the LORD his God;

2a) 2 Chr 27:7-9 {p} Jotham’s acts written + reigned 16 years + died, buried/ his son Ahaz reigned in his place.

2 Chr 28:1-27, King Ahaz:

1a) 2 Chr 28:1-7 {s+s} Ahaz did wickedly, was defeated before Syria, who carried away captives, and Israel;

1b) 2 Chr 28:8 {s} Israel carried away 200,000 women + children captive, and much spoil;

1c) 2 Chr 28:9-11 {s} Prophet to Israel: return the captives/ wrath of the LORD is upon you;

central axis) 2 Chr 28:12, Some of the heads of the children of Ephraim stood up against those who came from the war;

2c) 2 Chr 28:13 {s} “You shall not bring the captives here/ we are guilty + fierce wrath against Israel;

2b) 2 Chr 28:14-15 {p} They clothed, fed, and anointed them, brought them to Jericho to their brethren;

2a) 2 Chr 28:16-27 {p} Judah defeated before her enemies because of Ahaz’s unfaithfulness/ his death, burial.