30 lines
2 KiB
Markdown
30 lines
2 KiB
Markdown
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title = "2 Chronicles 27:1–9"
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date = "2025-05-07"
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### [Read the passage.](https://biblia.com/bible/esv/2Chronicles27.1-9)
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The reign of Uzziah's son Jotham can be considered a case study in generational faithfulness.
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Uzziah held the throne for longer than any other king of Judah.
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Except for the time he thought he could worship the Lord on his own terms, Uzziah was faithful to the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
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In the same way, and without any sin recorded in history, Jotham "did what was right in the eyes of the <span style="font-variant-caps: small-caps">Lord</span>". (_v. 2_)
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Some examples of his faithfulness are given, which include the building of the upper gate of the temple and the wall of Ophel.
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God's approval of Jotham is shown in his military victory over the Ammonites, who paid tribute to him year after year.
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The one negative thing that is mentioned about Jotham's reign is that the people did not follow Uzziah's or Jotham's example.
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They "still followed corrupt practices". (_v. 2_)
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This phrase indicates that they were mixing their worship of the Lord with pagan religious practices.
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Some historians have tried to cast doubt on the Bible by showing evidence that the ancient Israelites did not worship only one God.
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This falls apart if one reads the historical narratives of the Old Testament at all, because it clearly says over and over how Israel was unfaithful to the Lord.
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Syncretism is exactly what we would expect archaeology to show us.
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I mentioned at the start "generational faithfulness" because Uzziah's faith was passed down to his son, but we shall see that it was not passed down to his grandson Ahaz.
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The people did not follow the faith of their king (the value of which depends on whether it is the right faith, in the true God).
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Greater positions of authority have greater responsibility to teach the truth to those under them.
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Parents to children, rulers to constituents, kings to subjects.
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If truth is not taught, then the next generation will learn lies from someone else.
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* * *
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Teach us Your ways and do not let us stray from them.
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