2 Chronicles 35 & 36: The Passover
Verse of the Day: (35:18) And there was no passover like to that kept in Israel from the days of Samuel the prophet; neither did all the kings of Israel keep such a passover as Josiah kept, and the priests, and the Levites, and all Judah and Israel that were present, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

1. The Passover (35:1-19)
Moreover Josiah kept a passover unto the LORD in Jerusalem: and they killed the passover on the fourteenth day of the first month. (35:1)

King Josiah was the last good king of Judah as he kept the Passover in remembrance of God’s deliverance of Israel from the Egyptians. The Passover was never kept by all the previous kings of Israel and Judah since it was last observed in the days of Prophet Samuel. Josiah encouraged all the priests and the people in their service to God, as he put in place the Holy Ark in God’s splendid house. He generously offered 30,000 lambs and kids and 3,000 bullocks as offerings, and as an example of his love for God. His princes followed his example and gave generous offerings to God. Indeed, let us lead by example as Jesus is our best example who loved and gave Himself for His people. (1 Peter 2:21-25)
 
2. The Preparation (34:20-27)
After all this, when Josiah had prepared the temple, Necho king of Egypt came up to fight against Charchemish by Euphrates: and Josiah went out against him. (35:20)

Preparation and planning are very vital in the success of our lives and ministry, however they will be in vain if God is not in them. This was what happened to Josiah as he prepared his reign, but disobeyed God when he led Judah to fight with King Necho of Egypt. Tragically he died in the battle that he should never have fought in the first place. Let us remember that without God, all our plans and preparation are in vain. (Psalms 127)

3. Prophet (36:1-23)
And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD his God, and humbled not himself before Jeremiah the prophet speaking from the mouth of the LORD. (36:12)

Jehoahaz succeeded his father, Josiah, and he was an evil king. The king of Egypt was in control of Judah at that time, and after 3 months, he replaced Jehoahaz with Jehoiakim, his brother, as the next “puppet” king. Soon King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon attacked Judah, and Jehoiakim was taken as prisoner to Babylon. King Nebuchadnezzar then replaced Jehoiakim with Jehoiachin, his son. Within 3 months and 10 days, he was replaced by Zedekiah, his brother. The last king, Zedekiah, again refused to obey God’s Word through His prophet Jeremiah, and thus God’s judgment was upon Judah, until He sent King Cyrus of Persia to free them from the Babylonians so that they could return to Jerusalem to rebuild their city. Indeed, God never forsakes His people. (Hebrews 13:5)      

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to keep Your Passover in my heart by loving You.

2 Chronicles 33 & 34: Humble Thyself Before God
Verse of the Day: (34:27) Because thine heart was tender, and thou didst humble thyself before God, when thou heardest his words against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, and humbledst thyself before me, and didst rend thy clothes, and weep before me; I have even heard thee also, saith the LORD.

1. Hearken (33:1-25)
And the LORD spake to Manasseh, and to his people: but they would not hearken. (33:10)

Manasseh, who succeeded his father, King Hezekiah of Judah, did evil before God unlike his godly father. He led Judah in worshipping idols, and practiced witchcraft and child sacrifice that provoked God. God then sent the Assyrians to defeat them, and Manasseh was captured as a prisoner to Babylon. In prison, Manasseh humbled himself, and pleaded with God, and God answered his prayers. He was released from prison and returned to Jerusalem. He then led Judah to destroy all the idols, and commanded them to worship the true God of Israel. Manasseh ruled Judah for 55 years, the longest reign of all the kings of Judah and Israel. After his death, Amon, his son, succeeded him. Amon did evil before God, but unlike Manasseh, he did not humble himself before God. However, both Manasseh and Amon were evil as they did not truly hearken to God. (Proverbs 8:32)
  
2. Humble (34:1-28)
And they have gathered together the money that was found in the house of the LORD, and have delivered it into the hand of the overseers, and to the hand of the workmen. (34:17)

Josiah, succeeded his father, King Amon, when he was only 8 years old after Amon was assassinated by his own servants. Josiah did what was right before God as he led Judah into repairing God’s house. While repairing it, they discovered a book of God’s law from Moses, which prophesied God’s wrath upon Israel. Josiah tore his clothes when he heard of God’s judgment. He asked Hilkiah, the high priest and his servants to enquire from Huldah, the prophetess, about the prophecy. Huldah confirmed that God would judge them, but He shall spare Josiah and all who humbled themselves before Him. (James 4:10)

3. Heart (34:29-33)
And the king stood in his place, and made a covenant before the LORD, to walk after the LORD, and to keep his commandments, and his testimonies, and his statutes, with all his heart, and with all his soul, to perform the words of the covenant which are written in this book. (34:31)

Josiah gathered all his people, and covenanted with God that they would love Him, and keep and obey His commandments with all their hearts and soul. (Matthew 22:36-40)

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to humble myself before You, and trust and obey You.