Message Notes

MORNING BIBLE STUDY Wednesday, 14 March 2018 Sessions # 5 and # 6

CONTEXT OF THE MINISTRY OF ISAIAH Isaiah 1:1

1. Kings of Judah

2. Kings identified

a) Uzziah (10th)

b) Jotham (11th)

c) Ahaz (12th)

d) Hezekiah (13th)

THE REIGN OF KING UZZIAH (AKA AZARIAH) (10th King)

2 Chronicles 26

1. Began his reign at 16 years of age 2 Chronicles 26:1

2. He reigned for 52 years 2 Chronicles 26:3 (d. 68 years)

3. Significant reign

a) Achievements

i) He built Elath and restored it to Judah (2 Chronicles 26:2)

ii) He made war against the Philistines (2 Chronicles 26:6)

iii) Broke down the wall of Gath (2 Chronicles 26:6)

iv) Broke down the wall of Jabneh (2 Chronicles 26:6)

v) Broke down the wall of Ashdod (2 Chronicles 26:6)

vi) He built cities around Ashdod among the Philistines (2 Chronicles 26:6)

vii) God helped him against the Philistines (2 Chronicles 26:7)

viii) And against the Arabians who lived in Gur Baal (2 Chronicles 26:7)

ix) And against the Meunites (2 Chronicles 26:7)

x) The Ammonites brought tribute to Uzziah (2 Chronicles 26:8)

xi) His fame spread as far as the entrance of Egypt (2 Chronicles 26:8)

xii) He became exceedingly strong (2 Chronicles 26:8)

xiii) He built towers in Jerusalem and fortified them (2 Chronicles 26:9)

xiv) He built towers in the desert (2 Chronicles 26:10)

xv) He dug many wells (2 Chronicles 26:10)

xvi) He had much livestock (2 Chronicles 26:10)

xvii) He had farmers and vinedressers in the mountains and in Carmel, for he loved the soil (2 Chronicles 26:10)

xviii) He had a strong army (well-organised) (2 Chronicles 26:11)

xix) 2600 mighty men of valour (2 Chronicles 26:12)

xx) Soldiers under them: 307,500 men (2 Chronicles 26:13)

xxi) Good armaments provided (2 Chronicles 26:14

xxii) Invented powerful weapons of war 2 Chronicles 26:15)

b) Commendation: He did what was right in the sight of the LORD (2 Chronicles 26:2)

i) According to all that his father Amaziah had done (2 Chronicles 26:2) (Cf. 2 Chronicles 25)

ii) He sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the visions of God; (2 Chronicles 26:5)

iii) As long as he sought the LORD, God made him prosper. (2 Chronicles 26:5)

iv) God helped him against the Philistines (2 Chronicles 26:7)

v) He was marvelously helped (2 Chronicles 26:15)

vi) He became strong (2 Chronicles 26:15)

vii) He became exceedingly strong (2 Chronicles 26:8)

c) His downfall

i) His heart was lifted up to his destruction (2 Chronicles 26:16)

ii) He transgressed against the LORD God (2 Chronicles 26:16)

d) He wanted to offer incense to the Lord (2 Chronicles 26:16)

e) He was resisted by Azariah the priest with 80 priests, valiant men (2 Chronicles 26:17)

f) It was not for kings to offer incense (only priests) (2 Chronicles 26:18)

g) Uzziah was furious; an incense holder was already in his hand (2 Chronicles 26:19)

h) He was struck with leprosy (2 Chronicles 26:19)

i) He was driven from the temple (2 Chronicles 26:20)

j) He remained a leper till his death (2 Chronicles 26:21)

THE REIGN OF JOTHAM (11th King) 2 Chronicles 27

1. Began his reign at 25 years of age (2 Chronicles 27:1)

2. He reigned for 16 years (2 Chronicles 27:1) (d. 41 years)

3. His achievements

a) He built the Upper Gate of the House of the LORD (2 Chronicles 27:3)

b) He built extensively on the wall of Ophel (2 Chronicles 27:3)

c) He built cities in the mountains of Judah (2 Chronicles 27:4)

d) He built fortresses in the forests/ towers (2 Chronicles 27:4)

e) He defeated the Ammonites (2 Chronicles 27:5)

f) The Ammonites had to pay heavy tribute (2 Chronicles 27:6)

4. Commendation

a) He did what was right in the sight of the LORD (2 Chronicles 27:2)

b) According to all his father Uzziah had done (2 Chronicles 27:2)

c) He did not enter the Temple (2 Chronicles 27:2)

d) He prepared his way before God (2 Chronicles 27:6)

e) He became mighty (2 Chronicles 27:6)

5. But the effectiveness of his reign was questionable

a) But

b) Still

c) The people acted corruptly (2 Chronicles 27:2)

THE REIGN OF AHAZ (12th King) 2 Chronicles 28

1. Began his reign at 20 years of age

2. He reigned 16 years (d. 36 years)

3. He did not walk in the ways of his father David had done (2 Chronicles 28:1)

4. His foolish and wicked acts:

a) He walked in the ways of the kings of Israel (2 Chronicles 28:2)

b) Made molded images for the Baals (2 Chronicles 28:2)

c) He burned incense in the Valley of the Sons of Hinnom (2 Chronicles 28:3)

d) Burned his children in the fire (2 Chronicles 28:3)

e) He sacrificed and burned incense on the high places, on the hills, and under every green tree (2 Chronicles 28:4)

f) He sought help from the kings of Assyria Because he was attacked by many enemies (2 Chronicles 28:16)

g) He took treasures and gave them to Assyria (2 Chronicles 28:20)

i) From the Temple

ii) From his own house

iii) From the leaders

h) Instead he was distressed by the Assyrians They took the treasures but did not help him (2 Chronicles 28:20)

i) He had encouraged moral decline (2 Chronicles 28:19)

j) He had been continually unfaithful to the LORD (2 Chronicles 28:19)

5. Punishment

a) The LORD God delivered him to Syria (2 Chronicles 28:5)

b) The Syrians defeated him (2 Chronicles 28:5)

c) Many were carried away captive (2 Chronicles 28:5)

d) Many were slaughtered (2 Chronicles 28:5)

e) 120,000 killed in one day Because they had forsaken the LORD (2 Chronicles 28:5)

f) Israel carried away captive 200,000 Women, sons and daughters (2 Chronicles 28:7-8)

g) They took much spoil as well (2 Chronicles 28:8)

h) The Edomites attacked Judah too (2 Chronicles 28:17)

i) The Philistines also rose against Judah (2 Chronicles 28:18)

LESSONS TO BE LEARNED

1. How we live matters

2. God is needed

a) His blessing

b) His power

c) His grace/ mercy

d) His protection

e) His deliverance

f) The Light He gives

i) In His word

ii) Through His servants

3. Turning away from God leads to disastrous results

a) Dishonour

b) Shame

c) Defeat

d) Many others may suffer

e) Evil breeds more evil

f) Destruction at the end of the road